Looksmart UK now using LookSmart US descriptions!

[makemetop]

Few will have noticed this as there has been a prolonged delay in MSN updating with L$ listings - but LookSmart UK now lists the title and description from the US directory if you have the same URL in both directories. This has happened across the board on the sites I have in both - and I have also noticed this has happened to other sites I monitor. This means that when MSN UK updates you are likely to have 3 identical results in the listings. From MSN UK/LS UK, MSN/L$ US and Inktomi using the L$ US title and description.

As I try and carefully phrase the submissions to target the appropriate market this is a quite disturbing move - not least because you used to have two descriptions written independently which could target different key phrases. Now, no more. I've raised this subject with LS UK who agree with my point of view but say "..The US issue will not be simple to fix.." but are making representations in the US.

You can check if this has happened to your site by looking for your directory listing on MSN UK and then looking for it on LS UK. Note, this only happens if your site is in both the UK and US directories. UK only sites are unaffected.

[engine]

At the moment, I cannot get any response out of MSN. Seems something is amiss. I'll try later.

[markd]

great post as usual Makemetop

This probably explains why my MSN positions have gone through the floor - if they are directory listings from both .com and .co.uk directories.

[caine]

What a waste of .co.uk paid listings. However for one site it is excellant as the .com listings are tops, and the .co.uk used to only sit half way down for most listings.