Search Engine Update & a Look Ahead Chris Sherman Editor, SearchDay

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3 Three Big Questions What are the current trends and hot areas in search? What are the current trends and hot areas in search? What are the next moves for Google, Yahoo, Ask Jeeves and Microsoft? What are the next moves for Google, Yahoo, Ask Jeeves and Microsoft? Anything radically new or earthshaking on the horizon? Anything radically new or earthshaking on the horizon?

4 Current Trends & Hot Areas Local search Local search Personalization Personalization The return of “push” The return of “push” Collaborative search Collaborative search & desktop search & desktop search A big theme: “consumer search” A big theme: “consumer search”

5 Local Search Google Local Google Local Cool: MapsCool: Maps Yahoo Local Yahoo Local Cool: Multiple tasksCool: Multiple tasks Ask Jeeves Local Ask Jeeves Local MSN Search Near Me MSN Search Near Me A9 Yellow Pages A9 Yellow Pages

6 Personalization Google Personalized & Desktop Search Google Personalized & Desktop Search MyYahoo, SmartSort, Yahoo 360 MyYahoo, SmartSort, Yahoo 360 MSN Search MSN Search A9 Google Search A9 Google Search Ask Jeeves Ask Jeeves News: Findory, MSN Newsbot News: Findory, MSN Newsbot

7 The Return of Push, Sorta Remember Pointcast? It’s baaackkk… Remember Pointcast? It’s baaackkk… RSS allows web sites to create “feeds” with new content RSS allows web sites to create “feeds” with new content Feed readers (aka news aggregators) automatically check for new content, which appears virtually instantly Feed readers (aka news aggregators) automatically check for new content, which appears virtually instantly What’s different? The notion of search, find, subscribe. What’s different? The notion of search, find, subscribe.

8 Choose Your Feed Tool Feed-driven search engines like Daypop, Technorati, Feedster, Bloglines, Blogory Feed-driven search engines like Daypop, Technorati, Feedster, Bloglines, Blogory Newsreaders like NewsGator, Feed Demon, SharpReader Newsreaders like NewsGator, Feed Demon, SharpReader Real-time monitoring from PubSub Real-time monitoring from PubSub Coming soon: Search alerts from Google, Yahoo et al sent via RSS rather than Coming soon: Search alerts from Google, Yahoo et al sent via RSS rather than

9 Collaborative Search Yahoo Instant Messenger Yahoo Instant Messenger Furl Furl Pluck Pluck Nextaris Nextaris

10 & Desktop Search Gmail started a new trendGmail started a new trend Yahoo mail is greatly improvedYahoo mail is greatly improved LookOut for Outlook rocksLookOut for Outlook rocks Desktop Desktop Ask Jeeves, Google Desktop, MSN, Yahoo – all good startsAsk Jeeves, Google Desktop, MSN, Yahoo – all good starts Copernic Desktop adds web meta search, Eudora search, etc.Copernic Desktop adds web meta search, Eudora search, etc.

11 Consumer Search “Convergence,” thanks to broadband, has finally arrived “Convergence,” thanks to broadband, has finally arrived Huge stakes – integrating computer, web, audio, television, social network, refrigerator… everything you “consume” Huge stakes – integrating computer, web, audio, television, social network, refrigerator… everything you “consume” No clear approach or winner yet, but it’s getting fun to watch No clear approach or winner yet, but it’s getting fun to watch

12 Next Moves What can we expect in the coming year from Google, Yahoo, Ask Jeeves & Microsoft? What can we expect in the coming year from Google, Yahoo, Ask Jeeves & Microsoft?

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14 Next Moves: Google ??? Who knows? ??? Who knows? Persistent speculation: Google will take on Microsoft in the operating system & applications arenas. Persistent speculation: Google will take on Microsoft in the operating system & applications arenas. Feasible? Bet on it… Feasible? Bet on it… Challenge: Retaining focus (and employees) in the wake of the IPO… Challenge: Retaining focus (and employees) in the wake of the IPO… …and moving out of beta ;-) …and moving out of beta ;-)

15 Next Moves: Yahoo Search is becoming Yahoo’s core DNA, both across their own properties and throughout the web. Search is becoming Yahoo’s core DNA, both across their own properties and throughout the web. Great new initiatives in both consumer search and mining the invisible web Great new initiatives in both consumer search and mining the invisible web Challenge: Educating users about what’s available Challenge: Educating users about what’s available

16 Next Moves: Ask Jeeves Scaling Teoma, adding new features Scaling Teoma, adding new features Personalization and desktop search initiatives Personalization and desktop search initiatives New and very significant: Bloglines acquisition New and very significant: Bloglines acquisition Challenge: Continuing to effectively pursue the “third way” Challenge: Continuing to effectively pursue the “third way”

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18 Next Moves: Microsoft MSN Search is “version 1.0” – watch for major improvements in both scale and relevancy MSN Search is “version 1.0” – watch for major improvements in both scale and relevancy MSN will attack on many fronts – just introduced new advertising program that will be a major challenger to Google and Yahoo MSN will attack on many fronts – just introduced new advertising program that will be a major challenger to Google and Yahoo Challenge: Persuading users to try it; overcoming the AutoGoogle effect Challenge: Persuading users to try it; overcoming the AutoGoogle effect

19 Conclusion No disruptive technologies in sight on the short-term horizon No disruptive technologies in sight on the short-term horizon Jockeying among the titans will intensify, which will be good for everyone Jockeying among the titans will intensify, which will be good for everyone Criticism of Microsoft’s initial search initiative doesn’t see the big picture—they’ve built the engine, now they’re working on the car Criticism of Microsoft’s initial search initiative doesn’t see the big picture—they’ve built the engine, now they’re working on the car