MSN Search Out of Beta Feb. 1

AussieWebmaster · #1 01-13-2005

I was told by a high level Microsoft employee that the beta search will go live on Feb 1.
He also informed me that advertising on MSN will continue to be the two featured listings at the top and the Overture results through the end of the year.
That I find interesting since Microsoft is actively reaching out for people who have search experience to help develop the marketing for their PPC. Guess they have allotted until the end of the year to have everything in place to go live.

St0n3y · #2 01-13-2005

I am now anxiously awaiting to see if this turns our to be correct!

pleeker · #3 01-13-2005

The beta SERPs do appear to be improving as they continue to tweak things there, but February 1st still sounds a bit optimistic to me. Then again, when has MSFT ever waited to release something until it was polished to near-perfection?

AussieWebmaster · #4 01-13-2005

I would not etch it in stone... but it is a statement from a relatively high placed Microsoft employee... if there was one I can try to get a copy of the internal memo ...
I don't make these things up... got the affiliate thing at Google really early too.

pleeker · #5 01-13-2005

Sorry, AW -- didn't intend to make it sound like I doubted you at all. The "optimistic" comment was directed toward MSFT - I think they're being optimistic with such a target date.

strategicrankings · #6 01-13-2005

just released my own website last monday, and having an excellent position on MSN beta for my main target keyphrase!

I'm excited to see what they will get me in terms of traffic once they roll out.

PR Weaver · #7 01-13-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by AussieWebmaster

He also informed me that advertising on MSN will continue to be the two featured listings at the top and the Overture results through the end of the year.

Hi Aussie, do you mean the MSN / Overture contract will terminate end of 2005 ?

AussieWebmaster · #8 01-13-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by PR Weaver

Hi Aussie, do you mean the MSN / Overture contract will terminate end of 2005 ?

That would be the logical conclusion... though if the contract is end dated for a different date maybe that will be the exact conclusion of the relationship ... or there must be a buy out.

Opie1Canopie · #9 01-13-2005

Has there been any talk of MS buying Yahoo!/Overture?

<sorry if OT or already discussed>

AussieWebmaster · #10 01-13-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by Opie1Canopie

Has there been any talk of MS buying Yahoo!/Overture?

<sorry if OT or already discussed>

Why buy a product that has a bad rap and is losing it position?

Opie1Canopie · #11 01-13-2005

Quote:

Why buy a product that has a bad rap and is losing it position?

True - just thinking of it as a move to take control of the market share in search.

AussieWebmaster · #12 01-13-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by Opie1Canopie

True - just thinking of it as a move to take control of the market share in search.

All they need to do is offer an agency commission... 5-15% will get a bunch of big agencies really interested... then the rest will follow anyway.

hiero · #13 01-13-2005

I'm glad to see them going live. I've had better results with the beta than the present MSN Search. Has anyone else heard that Microsoft will also be launching their own Pay Per Click solution?

AussieWebmaster · #14 01-14-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by hiero

I'm glad to see them going live. I've had better results with the beta than the present MSN Search. Has anyone else heard that Microsoft will also be launching their own Pay Per Click solution?

Yes they are going to have their own PPC - why else get into search? And they are already reaching out to people to join the sales team.

AussieWebmaster · #15 01-14-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by PR Weaver

Hi Aussie, do you mean the MSN / Overture contract will terminate end of 2005 ?

I have seen somewhere that it runs out in June 2006...

PR Weaver · #16 01-14-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by AussieWebmaster

I have seen somewhere that it runs out in June 2006...

I did some search and according this article published on the 14th of july 2003:
"MSN's contract with Overture ends in December 2005. It seems unlikely that MSN will renew the contract - which means going to Google, or Findwhat.com/Espotting"

AussieWebmaster · #17 01-14-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by PR Weaver

I did some search and according this article published on the 14th of july 2003:
"MSN's contract with Overture ends in December 2005. It seems unlikely that MSN will renew the contract - which means going to Google, or Findwhat.com/Espotting"

Why go to Google etc??? They would roll out there own PPC sales etc.

pleeker · #18 01-14-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by AussieWebmaster

Why go to Google etc??? They would roll out there own PPC sales etc.

True, but back in July of '03 when an MSN search engine was still vaporware, the thought of them doing their own PPC would've been preposterous.

hardball · #19 01-14-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by strategicrankings

just released my own website last monday, and having an excellent position on MSN beta for my main target keyphrase!

Thats the buzz that launched google into the hearts and minds of webmasters.

And it trickled down ..and out ..and up. If MSN gives the "small guy" a shot, its all but over for google.

St0n3y · #20 01-14-2005

eh, ain't nothin' all but over for Google. They are still doing a lot of things right.

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