MSN's primetime TV ads

Winning converts?

[IanTurner]

MSN have been pumping the airwaves full of their new search ads, picking up some real prime slots in the ITV advertsing schedule.

But is it going to increase their market share or is it just pumping money down the drain, until their results can compete with Google?

[lovethecoast]

They've been advertising heavily on this side of the pond as well.

Don't know if it's helping yet, but one thing is certain -- they have the bucks to keep it up until it does help!

[Imaster]

[webmasterworld.com...]

[engine]

I have the feeling, Ian, that they want to differentiate search as a major tool, and not simply a component of MSN.

I'm pretty sure they will bring in those that may have their default set elswhere.

[jmccormac]

"I'm pretty sure they will bring in those that may have their default set elswhere."

Yep but they will get a fake shortterm boost from new Windows installations if the browser has MSN set as the default? However will that number be equalled by the numbers moving the Firefox et al? As for the TV adverts, the people watching TV are not necessarily going to be using computers - it is a shotgun approach. Google still has the greater mindshare but cracks are beginning to show.

Regards...jmcc

[TravelSite]

The Msn.co.uk adverts show a nice clean booking engine on the Msn.co.uk homepage (that looks like a competitor for Google). However when users go onto msn.co.uk they find a discrepancy - ie. a homepage that is in fact full of information. Most people wanting to do a basic search/interested by the advert don't need or want this extra info/hassle.

If MSN.co.uk wants to attract Google customers then it has to consider making a far simplier homepage and/or offer its users an incentive to use Msn as oppossed to Google (e.g. something that Msn can offer that Google and other search engines can't).

[lloyd]

Travelsite has a very valid point.

The problems with MSN.co.uk are many.

The firstly is their association with Microsoft. Where people will use a product because of its association with a liked brand so they will not use a brand that is no longer liked. I don't think people like Microsoft as much as they used to this could be an envy thing.

Secondly look at the historical background to MSN in terms of database. Like Yahoo (who have now turned the corner) they constantly changed the way they display results, the different databases, like Looksmart then Inktomi then no Looksmart, then Overture, then looking like Google. It is just a mess. Admittedly the general user has no idea about the databases being used but the swapping and changing in appearance then do.

Thirdly the results should not be in the portal. They need to be brave and get rid of any search facility on their home page and have a text/banner link to their search facility. And display something like this [beta.search.msn.com...] once you get there.

They are seriously playing catch up with Google and possibly Yahoo. For anyone to take them seriously as a search facility they need to look like a search facility