Alibaba overtakes Google in mainland ad sales

The Alibaba Group has overtaken Google (GOOG.NASDAQ) as the mainland’s second-largest recipient of online advertising revenue, Bloomberg reported. Alibaba accounted for 9.3% of Chinese online ad sales in the third quarter, up from 7.8% in the second quarter, according to a report by Analysys International. Search engine leader Baidu (BIDU.NASDAQ) retains first place with a 30.1% market share. Google has recently announced that combined revenues from ads, search and marketing by Chinese companies has increased this year, without specifying figures, but it has lost market share to Baidu since it exited the mainland search market. Analysys said Google’s online ad sales rose to US$102 million in the third quarter, up 7% year-on-year. Alibaba has increased sales of keyword advertising on websites including Taobao and Alibaba.com (1688.HK), the group’s only listed subsidiary.