MSN Testing Their Beta Search

Garrett · #1 (**permalink**) 02-04-2004, 04:08 PM

I got wind of Microsoft's beta search site delivering some weird results.

http://beta.search.msn.com

Dan Thies investigated and here's what he said:

"This is a bit weird. I keep getting different results from beta.search.msn.com and search.msn.com.

"Sometimes I get Looksmart results, sometimes I get Inktomi results. The beta sometimes shows Inktomi results, but the URL is a redirect through MSN instead of through Inktomi. Sometimes it shows Inktomi results just like they always have.

"Either way, I can't seem to get anything "new" out of it, but it does look like they may be doing some kind of split testing - sometimes showing Inktomi results, sometimes showing Looksmart results. Maybe they want to confirm that they actually get higher
click-throughs by showing Ink?"

What do you think they're up to?

Mel · #2 (**permalink**) 02-05-2004, 03:59 AM

HI Garrett
The link that works for me is http://beta.search.msn.com/ and at the moment I am not seeing anything that looks like Looksmart results to me.

In fact a term that I have been ranking #1 on MSN for a long time was originally the result of one of those Inktomi listings using a LS description. I still rank #1 for that term but the LS lookalike listing in the SERPs has been changed to one taken straight from the page title and description.

I do see the Inktomi spider as being very active right now and have heard reports that the Inktomi database is approaching the size of Googles database. I know that many sites I monitor have had thier number of listed pages increased by a factor of two or three.

It still looks like an Inktomi database to me.

Garrett · #3 (**permalink**) 02-05-2004, 08:48 AM

The folks over at betanews reported on Microsoft's beta search, but they apparently didn't read this thread.

The listings are, according to Mel and Dan, decidedly Inktomi.

Here's the article.

Garrett · #4 (**permalink**) 02-05-2004, 09:39 AM

I wrote to Jim Hedger of Stepforth too. He had several paragraphs to say about the Microsoft's beta search. Thanks Jim!

"MSN is beta testing a new search interface that looks like a cross between Google's minimalist aesthetic and Yahoo's directory structure. Fully powered by Inktomi results, searches conducted via the text-window are quick and clean producing what appear to be highly relevant results. Drilling down into sections of the directory, on the other hand, produces paid advertisements bought directly from MSN.

"MSN Search Resources, currently displayed on the Info-portal MSN are found on the right hand side of the screen with direct access to telephone directories, maps, employment finding services, real estate services, horoscopes and MSN's music search.

"The biggest difference between the beta search interface and the current search page at MSN is the lack of news and infotainment. Chances are, most search engine users will not miss stories such as today's features, "Are you a travel jerk?", and "AVON cellulite fighters".

"All in all, the beta is better than the current interface. It produces relevant results very quickly without polluting my monitor with distracting and time-wasting infotainment."

Jim Hedger
SEO Manager,
StepForth Placement Inc.