msn.co.uk beta search

[markymark]

No doubt some of you have seen the msn.co.uk beta search - but my question is what exactly are they doing here.

There are far less Looksmart listings - in some cases none, but I have also noticed that some Overture listings are also not being included. My initial thoughts that they were only displaying one result per site on a page seem to be wrong, but I can't figure out a method to their madness.

So what it's all about ?

[markymark]

I guess nobody knows, right ? I had thought this was some kind of regionalised (filtered) thing, but I don't think that's it either. C'mon someone, help me out here.

[ihelpyou]

hey Mark, I just ran a lot of searches with them. I don't see anything unusual at all?

[manwah]

Mark,

I agree with Doug on this one. I haven't seen any major differences on a number of terms on the beta site.

I did hear that MSN was supposed to be reducing the number of directory and overture results on specific (possibly high traffic) queries, but I have to stress that this is an unconfirmed rumour.

Can you PM me any terms that you see the differences on?

M

[markymark]

Manwah,

PM sent.

[symivisitor]

They are filtering for .co.uk sites on the web page results-or at least they are on my search terms. Below that I not sure, but I'm going to have another look now and will let you know.

[MakeMeTop]

>They are filtering for .co.uk sites..

No, it is not a filter on MSN UK but it is a big bias towards UK sites - on MSN US there is a bias towards .com sites. However you can get .com sites which are US based coming up in the UK and .co.uk at the top of the US MSN. But it is a lot harder.

Try a search for 'search engine optimization services' on MSN UK and MSN US and see the differences on 'web page' results. Then do the same search on AOL or Inktomi Pure Search - you will see what I mean. A .com site comes up at #1 on all searches but the rest of the results in MSN have a regional bias depending on which MSN portal you search on - but no bias on pure Ink.

Inktomi spoke briefly about this regional influence at SES in London - now it seems to be rolling out on MSN. Yahoo next maybe?

[symivisitor]

So exactly what are Submit Express doing to be ranked above you on MSN.co.uk??

[MakeMeTop]

If I knew that I wouldn't be #2 :)

Seriously, I think it is down to greater link-popularity. Their massive 'ooomph' on pure INK overcomes the regional bias. I have a couple of sites that are top on MSN US for certain search terms - but working out exactly why, is going to take a bit more of burning the midnight oil, I think.

I am trying to get to grips with why I am #2 on 'web pages' which is much higher than my natural INK ranking for this term (I don't really go for the 'z' word) and why I am 44 positions lower than this for the same term on MSN US - which is lower than my standard INK ranking. Crack that - and we may have some answers ;)

[symivisitor]

<If I knew that I wouldn't be #2>

LOL