Search Engine Journal

Microsoft will be launching its new MSN Search Engine by July of 2004 according to a Micorsoft spokesperson. Along with the new search technology launch, MSN will also change the way their search results and paid sponsored links are shown on the search pages.

Microsoft has been loading up their search research teams in preparation to challenge Google and Yahoo in the search engine battleground. Search is one Industry that Microsoft’s Bill Gates admitted MSN has been slow with, relying on Yahoo’s Inktomi and Overture Paid Search Advertising agreements to deliver partnered results to MSN searchers.

Last year, Microsoft built what the software industry calls an “algorithmic crawler” – nicknamed a “spider” – to assemble a vast index of websites. After long months of combing the web, and assisted by a large team of programers, the spider’s work is nearing completion. MSN Search’s new format and search result presentation changes (results are the same) can be previewed at MSN Search Beta.