How Does MSN Search Compare to Google?

MSN, otherwise known as the Microsoft Network is a search engine used to find information in the same way Google is used to search the internet. Years ago, MSN search was an engine that utilized the databases of outside companies such as Inktomi and, LookSmart to crawl the internet, but in 2005, it began using its own databases to find the information people were looking for. It now features a wide variety of categories including autos, games, real estate, travel and personals just to name a few, along with links to things like pictures, news and shopping to help you narrow down your search. With all the hoopla that is being made regarding search engine optimization I think it's only fair to discuss some of the features found on one of the oldest search engines still available on the web.

Like a lot of search engines MSN Search offers full Boolean searching. Boolean Operators "and," "&," "or" and "not" can be used in searching with MSN as well as "and not" and "not" can be used in querying the database. To use these Operators, all letters must be capitalized unless you use the symbols & and |. There is an included drop down menu that gives you the choice to use all of these terms, any of these terms, and none of these terms as well as the option to use an exact phrase. Even though the Boolean operators must be capitalized during a search query, the other phrases of your search can be in either lower case letters or upper case letters as the search engine does not recognize a significant difference when communicating with the database.