Whenever we try our hands to get instant answers at one of those famous search engines, all we want is to have results in seconds!
According to Hitwise Research Director, Heather Dougherty,
"Online users are increasingly seeking advice from question and answer websites that leverage shared knowledge contributed across a community of experts and enthusiasts. The popularity of user generated media has helped to establish a category for social knowledge where consumers can obtain answers from a single aggregated source developed through others asking similar questions."
A lot of speculations are made and it has been said that Microsoft may test rebranding Live Search as Windows Live Search! I don't know whether this aspect is true or not, but the LiveSide Blog is reporting various such reflections on its website.
According to LiveSide.net, following major developments are seen:
- A rebrand back to Windows Live Search
When Microsoft announced that they had entered into a collaboration with Facebook to conduct Live Search in Facebook, the Redmondians were not willing to share the details at all!
But now the entire scenario has been changed. Today, that plan has been implemented and Live Search is a part of Facebook!
According to the official Facebook Blog:
A lot of discussions have been going around at Webmasterworld.com about the issue that states that Live Search is updating… Let us have a glance at some of the discussions… Trust me, they are really amazing!
Marcia, who is an old time member of , says that
Microsoft's Live Search is now geared up with an amazing feature of "Translation." This wondrous facet is powered by Microsoft Translator technology.
In addition to that, the Windows Live Toolbar and Internet Explorer 8 are equipped with the technology of translation as well. Even Windows Messenger is getting a translation bot.
Supported languages are:
- English to/from:
- Arabic
- Chinese Simplified
Via the Virtual Earth Blog, Microsoft has announced the launch of Live Search Local Listings Center, that will enable users to find businesses near them, or near to where they want to go. As of now, the Live Search Local Listings Center is only available to users in the United States of America.
Benefits of Live Search Local Listings Center:
Back in the month of May, we had informed our readers of the new Microsoft Live Search Cash Back Service, that offered cash backs to consumers that would perform a search on 'MSN Live Search' and then make a purchase.
Our readers may recall that in June this year, Microsoft Live Search was displaying background images on the Live Search home page as a testing ground for a new and improved home page.
According to Webmaster World, there has been recent reports that indicate a major Microsoft Live Search update that constitutes the Microsoft 'Live Search July 2008 Update'. Just a couple of days ago, I had reported to our readers that there had been severe rankings fluctuations in Google due to the 'Google SERP changes for July 2008'. Now the irony of the situation was that, the Google SERP changes were running parallel to the Yahoo! 'June 2008 Search Index Update'.
According to LiveSide, Microsoft seems to be testing background images or 'Home Page Skins' for Live Search.
Search Engine Land, did however request for a comment from Microsoft and this is what Microsoft had to say about the new change, “The background image that LiveSide is reporting on is a part of a test flight. As new ideas come up for testing, Live Search will expose them to a small subset of the user base to see how people respond to them. At this point, we don't have details around when or if this feature will be available permanently, or more broadly.â€
@pagetraffic
