Getting into MSN UK

Whos paying Looksmart UK?

[johnser]

Hi

Have just been looking into MSN UK results and I can't make any sense of them as usual.

Am searching for a not very competitive "extra blue widgets" and am getting results on MSN UK which don't appear on Looksmart UK/US directories, Pure Ink, Google (LS UK backfill) or Espotting/Overture. Where might they be coming from? Am totally lost.

And once I've figured that one out, any point in me paying Looksmart UK £150 (after layoffs etc) for the sole purpose of appearing in MSN UK?

What would you do to appear on MSN UK?

[mikeD]

Who can make sense of MSN's search results. They must be the most confusing on the net. Plus a rubbish web site that takes far too long to load up on a 56k line.

[IanTurner]

Looksmart UK provides results to MSN UK and to a number of minor portals such as the BT Openworld portal. It has been worth the £150 to my mind.

[johnser]

IanT, would you reccomend them also now in spite of possible anticipated moves to the L$ US model?
Thx

[engine]

>in spite of possible anticipated moves to the L$

I really wonder if that "mistake" will be made again.

Either way, you might want to consider looking at it this way: Get in before there are any changes.

[IanTurner]

I would recommend it still as you are likely to get more than the £150 worth of free clicks when they make the change. (I wouldn't guarantee this but they are going to need something to make the current customers happy.) Also you may get a 3-4 months of value for the listing.

I really depends on how many clicks that you think the listing will generate.

Mine even in non-competitive fields still pull 10 per day min. It really depends on the value of a conversion to you.

[Shakil]

You didnt hear this from me (in case it doesnt happen).

But Looksmart are about to seriously go into Marriage with MSN starting Feb-March 2003.

I agree at presnt its an absolute shambles, with a certain keyword having over 300 Looksmart USA results at Msn UK, before any Inktomi results etc show.

But from where I am sitting, its all about to change. and I have a meeting with MSN at 3.30pm tomorrow to get my slice of the cake :)

Shak

[johnser]

Can you keep us posted Shak on anything you learn ;)
Thx all
J

[Shakil]

sorry people,

nothing to report on the Looksmart/Msn front from todays meeting.

apart from that Featured sites is now PPC (unlike CPM as before) and certain changes are being put in place for a better search.

Shak

[webdiversity]

To appear in MSN UK Looksmart has always been the best way. The break up between BT and Looksmart will not affect the relationship between MSN and Looksmart, but Looksmart will lose the minor partners, for that read, Tiscali (who they had lost already), BT Openworld, NTL World, and probably a few others but hey it's late).

The alternative to that might be something like a Premium Listing, done on a CPC basis with a varied range of click volume and cost. Listings appear in the directory, deliver good ROI and cost is consistent.

We are still doing Looksmart UK listings, and will continue to do so for as long as the relationship between MSN/Looksmart remains as solid as it appears.

Personally I think now the shackles of working with a telco are off we might see a better Looksmart UK once the sadness of the downsizing runs its course.