Slimy Posted September 12, 2006 Share Posted September 12, 2006 Microsoft this week will remove the beta, or test, tag from Live Search, its next-generation search engine, and make it the underlying search tool at its MSN.com portal.The move comes as Microsoft anxious attempts to gain traction in the search engine market, where it remains a distant third behind leader Google and Yahoo. Because search engine-based advertising is a fast-growing, multibillion-dollar business, Microsoft has invested heavily in improving its search tools and accompanying ad network. It has, however, failed to make a dent in Google's dominance. So Far, Third Place In June, Google nabbed 45 percent of all U.S. search engine queries, while Yahoo got 29 percent and Microsoft 13 percent, according to comScore Networks. This represents a market share reduction for Microsoft of almost 3 percentage points from June 2005. The enhancements in Live Search are notable, but many of them are available from other providers, so they aren't likely to boost Microsoft's market share in any significant way, said analyst Greg Sterling of Sterling Market Intelligence. "Microsoft has to exceed Google's capabilities, not just match them," Sterling said. "Search engine usage is fairly habitual right now. Microsoft has to come up with dramatic innovations and create an obviously better search experience. That's difficult given the fierce competition." Timetable for Switchover Tomorrow through Thursday, Microsoft will replace the current MSN Search engine on MSN.com with Live Search, which features a revamped image search service, an improved local search, a redesigned user interface and new tools to refine query results, said Derrick Connell, general manager of the Microsoft search business unit. The change will take place progressively on different MSN host servers. When users run a search on MSN.com, they will be taken to a Live Search results page on the Live.com domain, but there will be links there to guide users back to the MSN.com portal, he said. Live Search went into public beta testing in March at Live.com, the home page of the Live-branded initiative Microsoft launched last year to boost its software-as-a-service offerings. Live.com also exits its beta status this week. Among the enhancements in Live Search are new options to view full-size photos in image search results and an increased number of "bird's eye" aerial images in local search, which is shedding its beta label in its U.S. and the U.K. services. Live Search also features a new social search service called QnA, in which users can pose questions and have others chime in with answers. Yahoo, Google, and others have similar question-and-answer search services. Source Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/495105-microsofts-new-search-engine-exits-beta-status/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
:: Lyon :: Posted September 12, 2006 Share Posted September 12, 2006 So how good are the results compared to Google's search? Although I still believe, it's all depend on the user who uses the search engine :) Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/495105-microsofts-new-search-engine-exits-beta-status/#findComment-587874305 Share on other sites More sharing options...
LOC Veteran Posted September 12, 2006 Veteran Share Posted September 12, 2006 Frankly, and I think more and more of us will agree with me, but Google search isn't as "awesome" as it used to be. I mean sure, it still is the "best" around more or less, but MSN search and hell Dogpile and all the other metasearch engines are light years ahead of Google's stuff now I think. But then again, you can't beat Google's simplicity either. In any event, I rather like MSN's search, the results are very good, and fast, and the ui is nice and clean and not cluttered or "tacky" Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/495105-microsofts-new-search-engine-exits-beta-status/#findComment-587874581 Share on other sites More sharing options...
xpgeek Posted September 12, 2006 Share Posted September 12, 2006 Wait, so is this the same search engine found at Live.com? Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/495105-microsofts-new-search-engine-exits-beta-status/#findComment-587874669 Share on other sites More sharing options...
AV0X Posted September 12, 2006 Share Posted September 12, 2006 These are worth checking out: New Windows Live Local vs Google Maps New Windows Live Search - "Cubs" vs Google Search - "Cubs" New Windows Live Search - "Xbox" vs Google Search - "Xbox" New Windows Live Image Seach - "New York" vs Google Image Search - "New York" Live.com Homepage vs Google Homepage Updated with comparisons. Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/495105-microsofts-new-search-engine-exits-beta-status/#findComment-587874677 Share on other sites More sharing options...
dagamer34 Posted September 12, 2006 Share Posted September 12, 2006 I wish Google would give the results page of it's search UI a facelift. It needs to be made more visually appealing. Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/495105-microsofts-new-search-engine-exits-beta-status/#findComment-587874678 Share on other sites More sharing options...
zeroday Posted September 12, 2006 Share Posted September 12, 2006 I prefer the simple google layout, rather then a overly colourful search results page. :) Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/495105-microsofts-new-search-engine-exits-beta-status/#findComment-587875326 Share on other sites More sharing options...
neo2.0 Posted September 12, 2006 Share Posted September 12, 2006 w00t! My new homepage! :D Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/495105-microsofts-new-search-engine-exits-beta-status/#findComment-587875334 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mukati Posted September 12, 2006 Share Posted September 12, 2006 Windows Live Local has improved a lot. There are so many new and useful features. Check out the 'Call for free' option in some places. You punch in your phone number and then you get a call on your phone, which then connects you to the desired phone number. Now that is sweet! Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/495105-microsofts-new-search-engine-exits-beta-status/#findComment-587875563 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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