If MSN was not by Microsoft, do you think it would still have been one of the top 3 Search Engines of the world today? (Given the kind of results they show in the SERPs these days) I think it could not have survived if Microsoft wasn't behind it.
I've got to say, I don't think I have used MSN to do a search in probably the past two years! I think they probably would have survived, because they have lots of useful products, such as messenger and hotmail, associated with the search engine. Having said that, I think they are greatly overwhelmed by Google, which these days appears to be a much stronger search engine.
I don't think they would have grown as large without their products, like diarmuid said. Their search results are horrible and if they want to even begin to compete, they must start changing things around.
Google continues to rise in power. More and more people are trusting them. Microsoft needs to sit down and really decide what they want to do. If not, all will be lost. Oh well.
Then it wouldn't be called MSN. MSN became popular by default. If I remember correctly it wasn't really a choice, all computers came with windows, and as such, when MS launched IE (MSN) it was the default browser. You had to actively dis allow, and set a new browser , which most new computer users just accepted and used. By the time they figured out they had a choice, it was already to late. Most people aren't that knowledgeable,they just go with the wind, or with what they have in the office, or with what their friends tell them.
Yeah, I remember getting a computer that did that. It would open with MSN immediately, but I learned fast how to change it, so I was set.
It's a 3 LETTER domain, and they go for anywhere from $3k to $5k. Some go for more with better letters like A, B, C and some go for less ones like Z, Y, X, etc.
Taken them over here, I believe you mean bought them, not competition wise. Competition wise they are no where good and Google either buys someone whose extremely unique or someone who "might" be a threat. MSN is neither so no worries ~G
MSN's Search Technology may be bad but see their Financial Pages, Entertainment and all its the number one portal.
If MSN wasn't the default homepage on a WinXP / IE installation I don't think it would get anywhere near as much use as it does.
I don't know. The whole "MSN" (sorry, Windows Live. >_>) brand is pretty big now. Not just around search, I don't know a whole lot of people that actually use MSN search, but more or less around Hotmail (sorry, Windows Live Hotmail. >_>) and MSN Messenger. (once again, sorry, Windows Live Messenger) That being said, I use MSN a lot. I use MSN Search... never. Actually I don't use MSN Messenger, MSN Search, MSN Hotmail or any other products. I use Windows Live Messenger.
Some people who have msn set as their homepage don't even know what it is or how to change it (I'm talking about complete first-timers).. They type google.com into the msn search engine, not realising that it's a search engine, or that there's an address bar in existence! Without it being the default, it wouldn't have a hope!
If I'm using a search engine like dogpile then I guess I kinda use MSN aswell as Yahoo, Google, etc. If MSN wasn't by Microsoft, it probabally would die somewhere because it couldn't get the funding. I use MSN services like Hotmail, MSN Messanger, etc. Also you do realize they are an ISP, so that's how they can get away with a lot since people use them for internet service. I used them for a bit and it was a great connection.