California-based Bebo has clubbed up with Microsoft to provide instant messaging services to its community members in the coming days. The deal marks a new beginning for Microsoft who always kept itself away from social networking. It is equally beneficial for Bebo in the wake of tough challenges from MySpace and Facebook.
As per the deal, the software giant will extend its Windows Live Instant Messaging service to Bebo’s registered users. It means that Bebo users will be able to chat with the friends from Bebo community as well as outside people who are Windows Live IM users.
At present, Windows Live Messenger has some 280 million active users per month. The Bebo members can now reach them. Here lies the benefit for Bebo, which is still struggling in USA despite claiming a dominating position in UK.
The Birch couple’s founded social networking site has today considered as 85th most popular English website as per Alexa data and third popular social networking site according to Hitwise. However, it shares a meager 1.18 percent of web 2.0 market.
I am sure the recent deal with Microsoft will enable Bebo to attract Live Messenger users towards its social networking.
