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Microsoft has lost $11 billion trying to compete with Google

Published Jul 9th, 2013 2:50PM EDT
Microsoft Online Services Division Losses

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We’ve known for a while that Microsoft hasn’t been very successful in its attempt to make a Bing a legitimate rival to Google but it seems the company’s willingness to lose money while propping up its online services is even deeper than we’d imagined. Business Insider’s Jay Yarow reports that Microsoft’s Online Services Division, which incorporates Bing, MSN and other web properties, has lost a whopping $10.9 billion since 2005. Yarow also notes that “there’s probably never been another company in history that has lost that much money online” while doggedly sticking by its offerings. But given that Microsoft is still a very profitable company, it is likely perfectly happy to take losses on Bing as long as it acts as a check on Google’s web dominance.

Brad Reed
Brad Reed Staff Writer

Brad Reed has written about technology for over eight years at BGR.com and Network World. Prior to that, he wrote freelance stories for political publications such as AlterNet and the American Prospect. He has a Master's Degree in Business and Economics Journalism from Boston University.