In response to Google’s huge growth, Microsoft and Yahoo are discussing merger possibilities. They’ve held informal deal talks over the years, but now that Google is expanding tremendously, Microsoft is looking to ink a deal.

My personal experience with Google has been wonderful, and I’m so glad they’re around. There should be more companies like Google. Microsoft, on the other hand… well, you can read more about them elsewhere.

From a PC Magazine report:

The New York Post reported early on Friday that Microsoft made an offer to buy Yahoo a few months ago, but Yahoo spurned the advances. The paper, putting a price tag of $50 billion on a Yahoo takeover, said that deal discussions continue between the two companies. Investment bank Goldman Sachs is advising on the process, the paper said. The bank declined to comment.

The Wall Street Journal followed with its own story, saying that the two companies are in early-stage talks about a merger or some kind of link-up.

The renewed talks are a sign of Google’s power, the Journal said, and are also a sign of problems over the past year with in-house efforts at Yahoo and Microsoft. A deal could help Microsoft attract advertisers to its online businesses.

Google agreed to buy DoubleClick Inc. last month for $3.1 billion, accelerating a push into the graphic ad market. Google beat out Microsoft and Yahoo to win the deal, sources said.

Update: More discussion here.