Microsoft is creating a new research group dedicated to search and ad technologies

Microsoft Corp. is developing a new research group intended to quickly develop new search and advertising technologies and rapidly deliver them to advertisers and customers.

The new center, the Internet Services Research Center will be part of Microsoft's research group and work closely with its MSN Web portal and other groups across the company, according to a statement.

"We're committed to delivering better, faster search results for our customers and more creative, effective ways of delivering value for advertisers," said Satya Nadella, corporate vice president of Microsoft's search and advertising platform group, in the statement.

But the company still has a long way to go to compete with Google Inc. and even Yahoo Inc.

In June, Google sites captured 49.5% of the U.S. search market, while Yahoo sites ranked second with 25.1% of U.S. searches, followed by Microsoft sites with 13.2%, according to comScore Networks Inc.

Microsoft said Harry Shum, who was promoted to corporate vice president, will head the research center. Shum has been chief scientist for the search and advertising platform group since early this year, the company said.

Just last month, Nadella denied rumors that Microsoft had a team of developers working on a cutting-edge search project. However, he added that his group needed to take risks in order to improve its position.