Google launches Music Search with MySpace, Lala

Google has launched a new music search feature in association with partners, such as MySpace, Lala, Pandora, imeem and Rhapsody.With the new music search feature, millions of songs can be played freely by users. There is also an additional facility to buy the MP3, artist and tour data or rent it from several music stores.

If a user searches for an artist’s name, song, or a snippet of lyrics, then he would get results, which include links to song clips. When he clicks on one of the search results’ links, a pop-up window will appear for the provider he has selected like MySpace, Lala and so on.

The user can then play the song either directly on Google or through the partner sites.

Gracenote, a leader in global digital entertainment technology, will provide the lyrics data in music search.

Initially, Google will offer its music search feature to US-based users only. Though Google is ready to enter tie-ups with partners around the world, as of now it does not plan to go in for an international version.

Google will not make money from the sale of MP3s, said R.J. Pittman, product manager for the music service at Google.

The reason behind multiple partners in Google’s music search is that each partner had its own strengths and some partners have music that other partners did not have.

The new music search feature will enhance search traffic and business opportunities downstream to online partners and artists and labels. It also helps users to find new licensed music online sources. The music search helps the artists to discover new generations of fans and reconnect with longtime listeners.

MySpace is also linked to music research through iLike, a streaming music service. MySpace had acquired iLike in August 2009.

MySpace, which has the world’s largest database of live events, also provides streaming music from its partners like EMI Music, Sony BMG Music Entertainment, Universal Music Group, Warner Music Group, Sony ATV, as well as independent labels.

The music industry, which is fighting against piracy, is willing to support the music search feature.

“We’re not in the music business per se,” said R.J. Pittman. “We don’t license the music nor sell the music directly on Google. We are merely a music search feature.”

Even though Google said it was not interested in fighting with digital music retailers such as iTunes and Amazon.com Inc, it indirectly strengthens the abilities of partner sites to compete with iTunes, Apple’s music store.

According to market research firm NPD Group Inc,  iTunes accounts for 69 per cent of US digital music sales in the first six months of 2009, and 35 per cent of all music sales. The second largest is Amazon, which is responsible for 9 per cent of digital music sales and 10 per cent of overall music sales.

By offering lower prices and different features, start-ups like Lala and longtime players like RealNetworks Inc’s Rhapsody plan to take on Apple Inc’s iTunes and Amazon.