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The search deal between Microsoft and Yahoo! has been postponed until early next year.

The two companies signed a 10-year deal in July 2009, which will see Microsoft’s Bing ‘decision engine’ power Yahoo! search. Both companies have been waiting on US regulatory approval and at the time of the signing of the deal said they expected it to be closed by October 27, however according to the Telegraph, the deal is taking longer to finalize as there have been some delays, and the deal is predicted to be completed early next year.

“Given the complex nature of the transaction, there remain some details to be finalised," Yahoo said. "The parties are working diligently on finalising the agreements, have made good progress to date, and have agreed to execute the agreements as expeditiously as possible."

A Yahoo! spokesman later released the following statement: "Both companies are optimistic that we will be able to close this deal by early 2010.”

New the CEO of Microsoft Steve Ballmer "Through this agreement with Yahoo!, we will create more innovation in search, better value for advertisers, and real consumer choice in a market currently dominated by a single company."

That single company is of course Google. The new developments in the world of search mean that Google could be about to experience a powerful shove to the stability of its top position when it comes to search.