Google (NSDQ: GOOG) was hardly thrilled to find its marquee music search partner acquired by Apple (NSDQ: AAPL). But now, Google appears to be shifting its music-related search priorities away from Lala. Instead, a large percentage of first-choice streams are being served by MySpace (and iLike), a development sure to fan the speculative flames.
Over the holiday, a quick test of artist searches revealed a disproportionate number of song clips being served by MySpace, specifically 19 out of 20 searched-for songs. Users still have the option of jumping over to Lala, though MySpace is grabbing the first-runs.
Others are noticing the same thing. TechCrunch conducted a similar test of 30 songs, of which 28 were powered by MySpace. Sure, search results vary, though a ‘before’ and ‘after’ seems evident to ongoing users.
The shift hardly seems accidental. At a recent presentation in San Francisco, Google executive RJ Pittman noted the sudden absence of Lala. “Lala isn’t here, they’re probably working on where their new offices are going to be,” Pittman stated only half-jokingly. “We’ll see, we’re happy to see their sudden success so soon after our search launch.”
Songs searched by Digital Music News:
1. “Get Back,” Ludacris (served by iLike/MySpace)
2. “Jessica,” The Allman Brothers Band (iLike/MySpace)
3. “Ferny Hill,” The Chieftains (iLike/MySpace)
4. “Just Dance,” Lady Gaga (iLike/MySpace)
5. “Ms. Fat Booty,” Mos Def (iLike/MySpace)
6. “Them Bones,’ Alice In Chains (iLike/MySpace)
7. “Baby By Me (featuring Ne-Yo),” 50 Cent (Lala)
8. “Mr. Brightside,” The Killers (iLike/MySpace)
9. “This Year,” The Mountain Goats (iLike/MySpace)
10. “Temperature,” Sean Paul (iLike/MySpace)
11. “Southern Man,” Neil Young (iLike/MySpace)
12. “The Way the Live,” Baby Boy da Prince (iLike/MySpace)
13. “Throw Some D’s,” Rich Boy (iLike/MySpace)
14. “Walk,” Pantera (iLike/MySpace)
15. “One,” Metallica (iLike/MySpace)
16. “I’m a Slave 4 U,” Britney Spears (iLike/MySpace)
17. “I Believe I Can Fly,” R. Kelly (iLike/MySpace)
18. “Tell Me I Was Dreaming,” Travis Tritt (iLike/MySpace)
19. “The Anthem,” Good Charlotte (iLike/MySpace)
20. “Slow Hands,” Interpol (iLike/MySpace)
This story has been provided by our content partner Digital Music News.

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