New MSN Search is LIVE

We are seeing a rollout of MSN new search

[drdsl2000]

continued from: [webmasterworld.com...]

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It looks like it might be tied into their lateset Windows update.

Results look very good so far, Look out Google!

AND THERE WAS THREE

The Dr

[eddy22]

I think the msn results are fabulous.

Msn is finally on it's own ( dropping yahoo search).

They have done a good job.

I wish msn a great future ...

eddy

[dvduval]

There seems to be a polarity between lovers and haters of the new MSN. Regardless, Microsoft will be starting an unprecedented media blitz in February. I think everyone should pay careful attention to this new engine, and learn how to optimize for it. It doesn't matter whether you like it or not (but I do). ;)

[TrustNo1]

No amount of media blitz is going to help the relevancy (lack of) of what i'm seeing.

"Msn is finally on it's own ( dropping yahoo search)."

When they stop using Yahoo owned Overture, then they will be on their own. So June/July 2006 at the earliest.

[grelmar]

As for the quality of results overall... I'm not going to offer an opinion.

But I like the new msn search because of the following from my referer logs:

http://search.msn.com/results.aspx?FORM=MSNH&q=insert keywords

Speckled through my results from the past 24 hours.

Call me easy to please ;)

[Kangol]

O still see lots of spamm on competitive kewords. Search engines will never be able to deal with spam.

[webhound]

I doubt that anyone knows, but my only question at this point is, is this simply a test they are running, for load balancing and other technical issues, or are we looking at them making this permentantly live?

Seems odd if they were going to be making this permenant that the beta link is still up on the msn.com homepage and that it still says beta in the search window. Also the graphical interface still looks...undone?

Any info out there?

[phantombookman]

MSN beta seems to lack depth and stability from what I see, they seem to be able to get the top 3 or so matches OK but then the rest seem almost of random/little relevance.

There are still a lot of sites missing in my area, so presumably in other areas too, until they appear it is almost a waste of time theorising.
Selfishly speaking I think it is great because all my sites are #1 for their key searches, problem is they should not be!
Early days yet

[bwelford]

Here in Canada, I'm seeing Overture tracking code for sponsored listings for a number of different SERP's that I checked.

[Tigrou]

TrustNo1 -

Google and Yahoo are thanking MSN right now. Downgrading their search. Nothing like competition taking themselves out. No matter how your sites are doing in MSN, after awhile people will notice and move on over to Google or Yahoo. WebmasterWorld should chart the migration. What percentage are using MSN now and then look at it a year from now. Watch the downward spiral. Google, Yahoo, INK, even Teoma/Ask Jeeves still providing better results.

Are you joking? I assume so but I honestly can't tell. You must admit though G simply isn't usable for short keywords unless you like directory sites and spam. For longer phrases it is better though (for now).

Yahoo is (for now) the best of all three, but that's not saying a lot. It has major problems as well.

Anyway, unless Google and Yahoo are incredibly arrogant they wouldn't ignore the threat. Oh wait look who we are talking about -- you're probably right.

I mean the former is a company that has downgraded their own service dramatically to maximize their own profits while their opposition is weak. I mean how does an SE deny most new sites for a year AND still have craploads of spam? Really.

The later charges $300 for a CHANCE to enter their directory. Really.

I actually hope you're right TrustNo1. That will give MSN a chance to market unhindered for a month. Then Yahoo and Google will be forced to make themselves more consumer friendly to fight back. Consumers and webmasters can only win from that.

Quote 2: from Kangol (not webhound :-)

O still see lots of spamm on competitive kewords. Search engines will never be able to deal with spam.

You know Kangol, you're probably right, just a matter of which SE deals BEST with spam. (thanks for the catch webhound)

Best,
CF

[edited by: Tigrou at 8:02 pm (utc) on Jan. 18, 2005]

[webhound]

Tigrou, while I agree with the quote your quoting me as saying, that wasn't me. Spamm is spelt SPAM. :-)

Again, I ask if anyone has any idea if this is a test or the real deal. (permanent)