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How Objective Is Microsoft's Search?

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the which-pants-do-geese-wear dept.

bot writes "There have been a number of stories on Microsoft trying to do a 'Netscape' on Google.. what would a world in which Microsoft provides search look like? A search for 'linux' on msn.com give amazon and ebay as the top two results, and a microsoft site promoting migration from Linux to Windows as the fourth listing. A search on MSN India is even more amusing -- the top result is a dead link, and the second one is Linuxsucks.com."

5 of 470 comments (clear)

  1. Actually, the top links are ads by Surak · · Score: 5, Informative

    The top links are for 'featured sites' (~= 'ads') and 'sponsored sites' (~= 'ads') and after you get past the ads, the results are roughly similar to google's results, with linux.org and redhat.com being in the same #1 and #3 spots, and linuxjournal surpassing linux.com as the #2 spot.

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    1. Re:Actually, the top links are ads by Pharmboy · · Score: 5, Informative

      And they only started doing this under pressure from people who figured out what was going on. Google is a souless company, just like all the others.

      Not true. I know for a fact they have a soul. We have tried to get them to mix ads with results because we are a huge advertiser and want better return for our investment. You can't even BUY your way to the top of the advertising list. You place a bid, but the highest bid doesn't get the best position, it is also based on "relevence". They have used this method for over a year now.

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      Tequila: It's not just for breakfast anymore!
    2. Re:Actually, the top links are ads by Alsee · · Score: 5, Informative

      'featured sites' (~= 'ads')

      No. The top 4 results are not paid advertizements. They are HAND PICKED by MSN. About Featured Sites results.

      Featured Sites are links that MSN Search editors believe are likely to be particularly relevant and useful.

      It is quite reasonable to look at the objectivity of that editorial process. Rather than including one of the top sites in Linux news they provided a link on how to UNINSTALL Linux and other open source software. I find it hard to believe that link is one of the top 4 "relevant and useful" results for a general search on Linux. At best it look like a clear case of editorial bias, and at worst it is deceptive concidering that is it far from clear that the top 4 results are "editorial".

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  2. Re:Pretty obvious by Kpau · · Score: 5, Informative

    In all my business and personal dealings with Microsoft, I've always gotten the feeling I'm really dealing with a maturity level equivalent to the "100sr sux!! We r0xx0rd U!!! doofuses that infest many online games. Really... Bill and his companions may use complete sentences but anyone who's worked internally with the folks knows the "if you don't agree with me, you suck and are stupid" culture inside MS. They can put all the suits on they want and have thug Ballmer dance the monkey dance... but they really are kind of pathetic.

  3. there is no MSN search engine by georgescriban · · Score: 5, Informative

    Searching search.msn.com for "linux" will really highlight the weakness of MSN's search features -- the results are actually supplied by three different companies, then stitched together.

    MSN provides up to five "featured" sites for a search phrase, usually to companies that have marketing relationships with MSN (like Amazon or eBay).

    Overture gets to throw three "sponsored" sites at the top of every page of results, so these are companies who bid to be shown for a particular search term.

    LookSmart provides the "directory" results. Of course, you get into the LookSmart directory by paying a fee to have your URL(s) associated with certain (a) certain search phrase(s). In the case of a search for "linux", you have to wade through 400+ directory results before you get to...

    "Web" results, which are provided by Inktomi. Inktomi's engine collects URLs in one of two ways: through a regular crawl of the Web (like any search engine), and through a fee-based "paid inclusion" program where companies can submit their sites through a direct XML feed into the Inktomi index.

    At least, that's the way it works for now. Given that both Inktomi and Overture have been bought by Yahoo!, there's very little chance that Microsoft wants MSN to fatten a competitor's coffers. Microsoft's moving as fast as they can to get their own technology in shape to replace the outside vendors. But MSN Search isn't powered by Microsoft quite yet.