MSN - Whats the deal?

Has anyone heard what MSN is doing for primary results...

[webhound]

Jan 1st 2004 MSN will no longer be using Looksmarts directory for primary results. Well it's December 13th and we still haven't heard exactly what they intend on using. Anyone know what's happening here? :-)

[iamlost]

info from msn uk search site:

1. Sponsered Sites is supplied by Overture (with contract through June 2005 according to Overture).

2. Web Pages is supplied by Inktomi (with contract through December 2005 according to MS).

from elsewhere:

MS has said that their own in house system will not be ready by January 2004 and that is what will eventually replace Inktomi. They also say that in the Inktomi contract they have the ability to get out early.

[webhound]

yeah i had heard that, but was more interested in seeing if anyone had heard if their own engine will be ready for Jan1. I have seen NPbot, and MSNbot in our logs so it looks like its out crawling....

[skibum]

I'd be surprised if a home-grown MSN engine makes it out before summer. Ink for now, MSN in-house sometime in Q3 or Q4 2004 would be my guess.

[rfgdxm1]

I wouldn't be surprised if MSN rolls it out earlier. However, my guess is that MSN would want to thoroughly test for quality of SERPs, and not release it until satisfied. Starting a new search engine from scratch, and making it good, seems likely to be something that will take time.

[sem4u]

They are going to have to test and test their new search engine in order to try and beat Google for relevancy.

I think they are trying to push for an April release.

[angiolo]

I see less Looksmart listings in these days.

[Alternative Future]

>>my guess is that MSN would want to thoroughly test for quality of SERPs

Well that would sure be a first for MSN, testing before releasing something ;) hehe