MSN UK

[adamcmoran]

I have been having some trouble with MSN it brings back so many different types of results.
Correct me if I am wrong here, first it looks at Looksmart results, then inktomi but I have a feeling that it has its own directory results as well.???

What is the general score on the way MSN brings back its results.

Plus when I submit via the add url function what does this add my site to????

Adam (a touch confused) Moran :(

[engine]

Adam, hi.
I've just done a check on this and I too am confused.

The results are a mixed bag in the web section. They don't tie up with what they used to.

I'll have to do some more research.

[oldtimer]

As far as I can see, admittedly checking on only one newish site, MSN.com is identical to MSN.co.uk and virtually the same as Freeserve and ntl.

ntl uses only Inktomi
keyword #1 brings up the pages 18 through to 26
on Freeserve the same word - pages at 19-27 and on both MSNs at 21-29

other keywords/phrases have the same slight differences.

They are also listed on LookSmart.

Incidentally, keyword #1 was at positions 3-5 until 2 weeks ago and another phrase was on Freeserve at 7 & 8 but 14-15 in MSN. This one has now dropped out of existence (or at least as far as I can be bothered to search.) This last one is not listed on LookSmart either.

When you submit to MSN itself, it supposedly goes into MSN's directory. MSN.co.uk list 'Web Directory Sites' first, followed by 'Web Directory sites US' and then 'Web pages'

[adamcmoran]

Their web directory is fed directly from Looksmart.co.uk.

[oldtimer]

Under the notes with addurl, to quote

"In the Category box, click the category in which your site should be displayed in the MSN Search Web Directory."

and

"Submitted URLs are subject to editorial review, and submitting a URL does not guarantee acceptance by MSN Search."

Perhaps it just means the the editors don't get round to reviewing very often so the results are pure LookSmart?