Net_Watcher - 12:10 pm on Mar 8, 2002 (gmt 0)

Far more americans use MSN than us Brits. I'm not convinced that its worth the effort, and paying for listings can only be bad in the longer term. It introduces a class system and the results then become almost useless. The British guy who invented the Internet was keen to see free movement of information and met with Microsoft and Netscape to ensure an agreed standard is maintained. In my own view, those that charge for it will inevitably lose market share through crap results anyway. It didn't help Excite.co.uk for sure.

I remain totally opposed to paying for a place. Its anti-social and undermines the whole point of the Net. Reminds of the Poll Tax in the UK which fried the Torys in the end. Was a great thing to see the British public fight it and win. There are many similarities and the popularity of an engine is only as good as the results it provides. In the end the paid for listings (which even then don't really guarantee where the result will end up) will affect market share for SEs and no doubt kill some of them off altogether. Mark my words.....