Changes in msn / looksmart

seems to be less emphasis on looksmart directory results

[dawlish]

I've noticed recently that many of the listings in MSN I have through Looksmart have suffered considerably recently and MSN no longer seems to using the Looksmart listings in the way it was before.

Previously if you managed to get a selection of your keywords included in the Looksmart description the likelihood was you would show up on the first page or two (depending on how competitive) of msn.co.uk for queries on those keywords or phrases.

Now when I enter a great number of those queries it just defaults to the inkitomi web pages rather than showing any matching Looksmart results.

As an example try searching for "web design london". Previously this would have brought up 20+ web directory sites, now there are none. This is the same for various other sites and keyword phrases.

Has anyone else noticed this?
Any idea as to what is happening?

[4eyes]

Hi Dawlish

This is probably due to many Looksmart customers declining to pay for the new pay-per-click model brought in by Looksmart.com. If you don't top up your account, out you go.

It seems they are also (incorrectly) dropping some sites from Looksmart UK at the same time, [webmasterworld.com...]

[lawman]

Similar thread can be found HERE [webmasterworld.com].

lawman

[AussieStu]

'scuse me for being a neophyte but could anybody tell me when Looksmart brought in their pay-per-click model?

Many thanks

[Terrier]

I think we are about to see big changes with MSN uk it seems to be a mess at present, only the top listing or so from looksmart is being listed as directory results. I spoke with btlooksmart (who are not following the US model of ppc) and cannot or do not want tell me what is going on other than they are getting many calls about this problem. If looksmart loses their deal with msn it will be goodbye looksmart in my opinion. Real names are going out of business since they lost their deal with msn, the only stability seems to be with the overture listings on msn uk. The looksmart uk directory has some espotting sites in top position in the directory listings could this have upset msn ? I can only think that msn either have technical problems or are going through a rethink, with a view as how to make more $ for themselves now that nearly everyone seems to be refusing to join the LS ppc scheme despite BTLS not being part of this they are being tarred with the same brush. This is all supposition and will be interesting to see what happens.

[4eyes]

Hmmm..

There are some very strange things going on.

I too am seeing MSN UK results that are missing ANY looksmart listings.

Checking Looksmart, the sites are still there - just not showing in the MSN UK results.

Forunately, my Inktomi results are usually 'up there' instead, but its not good.

My Looksmart UK submissions remain on 'hold' until they sort it out.

[diddlydazz]

This isn't limited to just to paid L$ listings.

The non commercial (Zeal) listings have been dropped aswell, I think MSN might be changing where they get results from.

There was a thread a few weeks ago, and one member asked L$ if they could guarantee any length of time that the L$ listings would appear on MSN and they said they couldn't.

Whether this has been on the cards for a while who knows !

I think L$ will be going downhill very quick with the way they have changed their listing plan.

Any thoughts ?

Dazz

[Terrier]

Looking at the results that come from INK they no longer seem to be pure INK. I think msn are using some kind of filter and their own alogo.

Anyone else see this.

[uk_dokey]

Seems the same, I wouldn't worry at present. We've had good value from Looksmart and they still are the N.O 2 directory in the UK for quality traffic. They still feed NTL World and BT which are steadly growing engines. People who use these engines are relatively new to the web and more likely to spend money. I like Looksmart and the way their customer service ticks.