Looks like MSN Search is about to be change into Windows Live, according to Liveside.

‘"…….So I guess the question now would be how long is soon?

Well from reading the newsletter it sounds like it could be very soon because normally MSN Newsletters only state that a new product or service is coming soon if they are sure they can make a release date within reason.

Here’s an extract of the newsletter:

Quote:

 

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In case you hadn’t heard, MSN Search is no longer, it is about to be retired to make way for the all new Windows Live Search experience. It’s simple, fast and accurate, has great new features you just won’t find with other search engines and best of all, it puts you in control.

Goodbye MSN Search, Hello Windows Live Search!

The beta, or pre-release, testing of Windows Live Search is nearly over so if you’ve used it or sent us feedback we salute you - don’t worry no group hugs or anything, just a genuine thanks from the team.

The new Windows Live Search allows for far more customisation, control and accuracy than ever before and is now a lean mean searching machine with many new features such as the ability to determine how much information you want displayed on your query results and the new in-site search.

Create your own homepage

With your new Live.com page you choose between customising your own personal homepage that can include feeds ranging from your Hotmail inbox to feeds you choose from all over the web, or simply choose the super sleek search home page. Even if you do chose to customise your own Live.com page and you fancy a change, you can switch back and forth at the click of a button!

Why not try out some of the great new search tools; an all new local search tool including stunning aerial maps (bet you can’t resist finding your house), a new and very much improved image search (we think it’s the best one available) and don’t forget the brand new Windows Live Toolbar too You can find Windows Live Search at Live.com as well as on MSN. The change over to Windows Live Search begins soon, so be sure to check it out on uk.msn.com or try it out today at Live.com.

I took a look at Live.com and noticed there’s also a question and answer search Windows Live™ QnA Beta and totally new feature called "Create Your Own Search Engine" which seems totally cool.

I put in some sites that are my clients, former clients, friends or other blogs I write for or read - just to test.

I guess you could test Paid Advertising this way (by limiting the sites that come up) or create a search engine that you can send friends to.  I think this could be a killer app though it’s hardly new.  Microsoft has never been known for originality -  but they are often successful with using and improving other people and companies ideas.

I am also attracted to the idea of running a "macro" to create the search engine - that opens up the ability to refine the abilities of your custom search engine and to automate some additional features.

One thing that’s possible to do with this "create your own search engine" interface - create your own ad and ten use AdCenter to look at the demographics and location tracking of your own test search engine!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ok, now its becoming clear.  You create your own search engine and get people to come to it - Microsoft’s advertising runs (similar to AdSense) and you go into AdCenter and see the demographics of your visitors - collecting all kinds of interesting marketing research information (which you can later re-package or sell if you can get enough good data).