Microsoft's ideas to land on the local search map

[Chicago]

Industry expert Greg Sterling of The Kelsey Group reoprts in the Kelsey Group's Local Search Blog, Microsoft's ideas to land on the local search map.

'MSN Virtual Earth' to Challenge 'Google Earth'

In the battle of the interactive maps, MSN is seeking to challenge Google’s satellite mapping supremacy with a suite of mapping tools that will seek to combine the best elements of satellite mapping with A9’s Yellow Pages local business photography and Yahoo! Maps’ layered results.

The service, to be built on Microsoft’s already strong mapping pedigree (including in mobile), will apparently launch on MSN later this quarter. The aerial photography is apparently to be collected by a small fleet of planes, ala A9’s vans and will be added later in the year.

[richardmasoner]

All of the search companies want to really spice up their mapping since Google has created their truly useful mapping. I have programmer friends at MapQuest and Google's efforts have provided strong incentive for them to improve their product.

I think a lot of these guys are missing the point, however. A lot of Google's popularity stems from its programmability; the hacks marrying Google Maps XML data with craigslist apartment listings, cheap gas prices, crime data, and so forth. This coder/hacker activity generates positive publicity about Google Maps and normal web users want to see what the hype is about.

If all MSN, Yahoo, MapQuest and the others do is create a richer user experience with more sponsorship listings, I think they're results will be disappointing.

RFM

[Chicago]

Welcome to WebmasterWorld, richardmasoner

Thanks for the thoughts.

If all MSN, Yahoo, MapQuest and the others do is create a richer user experience with more sponsorship listings, I think they're results will be disappointing.

Great Statement.

But isn't advertising fundementally about users and eyeballs?

Sometimes innovation and advertising can work in unison all be them initially seperate (or not fully integrated).

Ad inventory takes time to mature.

Innovation can't wait.

Gates Unveils MSN Virtual Earth

[sugarrae]

I saw the "preview" of how close it looks like these "maps" may be able to move in and it's uncomfortably close. Zooming in on Washington DC may seem cool, but I don't want someone being able to zoom in on the back of my house because it bit their fancy one morning to hop on the Internet and look. I think the premise is cool - but I am waiting to be able to play with it and see just how much privacy may come into play with this thing.