Google, MySpace, Facebook Make Music Moves

RYAN NAKASHIMA

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Internet power players Google, MySpace and Facebook are adopting strategies to better compete in a music industry that is rapidly shifting online.

In separate developments Wednesday, it emerged that Google plans to launch a music search service, MySpace said its music videos will be spread on competing social networks through recent acquisition iLike, and Facebook said it will now allow friends to send each other song-streaming gifts for as little as 10 cents each.

The developments, all of which came with the blessing of the major recording companies, are examples of attempts to reap online revenue as compact disc sales continue to fall.

According to people familiar with the matter, Google Inc. next week will launch music search pages that will package images of musicians and bands, album artwork, links to news, lyrics, videos and song previews, along with a way to buy songs on one search results page.

The people spoke on condition of anonymity because they weren't authorized to speak publicly about the deal before next Wednesday's announcement.