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So this is why I’m starting to see my rankings all over the place in MSN. MSN announce last Friday on their blog that the Beta version of Live Search Books has rolled out of production. They are really trying to bring back their users.
The Live Search Books offering is part of our larger Live Search strategy to deliver the most relevant information possible to our customers in a seamless experience that integrates results culled from a variety of essential sources.
So in the meantime what can we expect? I’ve seen my rankings disappear, come back, jump backwards and spring to the top. I noticed this trend begin back in March. MSN used to be very easy to get high rankings with minimum effort. I’m starting to see the trend change. Hopefully for the better!
Of course we also make it easy to search within books: our viewer allows you to search for specific keywords, view full pages or zoom in, flip through page by page, and link to the book’s Table of Contents.
I hope this isn’t like your current search function! The information result is all over the map. So far I haven’t had any problems when using this function and I actually think it’s an interesting tool. I don’t like that I’m limited on how many pages I can search. I also have to sign-in so they can track my surfing. I know this is marketing 101, but there are still those of us who don’t like to be observed.
However, I’m more concern about the larger Live Search strategy. What are you currently doing with your search engine to make you more effective against Google and Yahoo? Yes Specific Search is a great start!
HINT: Don’t force your user to have to use only your tools. You will only drive them further away.
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2 Comments so far2 Responses to “MSN is Really Trying:”
Gary,
The MSN/Live Search representatives at the SMX Advanced Conference seemed really excited about some new services being launched soon. I'll agree they are really trying. Although they may be releasing more advanced search services than Google or Yahoo, Live search still has to gain that trust and really convince the massive search audience to give their tools a shot. Live search simply does not have the viral appeal or unique branding to get users to switch. Call it an identity crisis.
I'll admit that I am biased toward Google in my own personal search and SEO focus, but will start to make an effort to spend more time on Live, Yahoo and Ask.
One universal theme at the SMX Conference was that all big search players have a common goal to provide the best search results with a good user experience, and are making the shift to personalized search.
Getting back to Live Search... check out the tools at Microsoft adCenter Labs.
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