Google gains ground on Baidu in China: study

" NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. Internet search giant Google is gaining on local rival Baidu in the race to dominate the fast-growing Chinese search engine market, according to a research firm's survey.

The study, conducted by Internet performance research firm Keynote Systems, bodes well for Google, which has made major moves to set up in China, the world's second-biggest online market with 120 million users.

Google's Chinese site came out on top in 11 out of 13 categories, including general, news and image searches, and more consumers saw Google's search results as relevant, according to the survey, released on Wednesday.

The monthlong survey of 1,200 Chinese Web users rated usage on Google, Baidu, Sohu.com Inc.'s Sogou, and e-marketplace specialist Alibaba, which is 40 percent owned by Yahoo.

Baidu declined to comment on the report. Google, which owns 2.6 percent of Baidu, could not be reached for comment ..."

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