Tamar reported a couple weeks ago that Microsoft put a bid in for Yahoo. We learned over the weekend that Yahoo would reject the offer and they would possibly partner with AOL to prevent a hostile take over by Microsoft.

What does this all mean for search marketers? Right now, I wouldn't even speculate. There are just way too many variables right now. To start making guesses as to which way Yahoo might go? If Microsoft does buy Yahoo, if Yahoo partners with AOL, if Yahoo sticks at it alone??? Even if one of the above transactions happens tomorrow and it won't happen in a day, we as search marketers still have a tremendous amount of time to prepare for it.

Let's say Yahoo merges with AOL. The consolidation of technologies, if and when it happens, would be so far down the road that it would be pointless to speculate the consequences of such an event before we know what might happen.

If you are a stock holder, then it is a different story. But search marketers can sit back and watch.

In any event, this is major search news and the forums are buzzing up and down on the topics. Here are some threads from over the weekend on the news:

• Yahoo in Merger Talks with AOL, WebmasterWorld
• Yahoo May Merge with AOL, Search Engine Watch Forums
• Yahoo Rejects Microsoft!!! Breaking News!, DigitalPoint Forums
• Yahoo to Reject Microsoft Bid, WebmasterWorld
• The Impact on Google Adsense of Microsoft Buying Yahoo, WebmasterWorld
• Yahoo Has Formally Rejected Microsoft Bid, WebmasterWorld