Google联手姚明的巨鲸音乐网

面对竞争对手百度依靠MP3搜索取得的巨大流量，Google将再次调整其本地化竞争策略。《第一财经日报》昨日从Google相关人士处获悉，Google将对外宣布与巨鲸音乐网开展一项合资合作计划，以提供免费的正版音乐试听和下载服务。

这将是Google首次切入中国在线音乐市场。双方合作方式是Google在页面上提供部分音乐试听和下载服务，音乐版权由巨鲸音乐网提供。音乐下载服务可能会提供数十家大小音乐公司的歌曲。而Google将尝试利用广告获得部分收入。

Plagued by music pirates, Google has partnered with 140 different music labels, including the big four to offer free music downloads only in China.

music pirate 盗版音乐
music label 唱片品牌

"I've already tried it," he says, "it's not bad."

The philosophy: if you can't beat them, join them.

if you can't beat them, join them 打不过，就合伙

"They've given up almost on this market. They say we're getting nothing here anyway. We might as well get something of this new business model."

Google's China president has said, "...not providing music was a strategic mistake on our part."

The top Chinese search engine, Baidu, already has a music search feature, despite lawsuits from many different labels. It enables users to download free music through third party sites. So popular it's helped Baidu capture 62% of the China marking. Google is a distant second at 28%.

Google has started with about 350,000 free songs, but plans to have more than a million soon. The goal is to generate advertising revenue that Google, its Chinese partner, and the music labels will share. But more importantly, drive traffic and catch up to the competition.

drive traffic 增加网站流量

"Actually, Baidu may be threatened now, one by being seen, if it continues not to cooperate with the labels, to be basically aiding and abetting pirates in a very obvious way."

Users say Baidu has its disadvantages, including links to low-quality music. Google promises high quality. And on top of being legal, Google recommends songs based on the listener's preference, and offers unique search functions and lyrics.

"I think we young people always like the new things. So we can try it."

They'll have to do more than just trying if Google's new service is to be a success.