MSN James Colborn Ad Center labs. Paid search environment. Take that data to the next level. MSN has higher conversion ratio, tools in Ad Center help do that better. Showing probability of Commercial Query (Microsoft 33% "Buy digital camera" 91% probability of commercial intent. tool for advertisers. http://adlab.microsoft.com is available for anyone to use any time. Available tools include a "Keyword mutation tool" which shows mis-spellings. An "Acronym resolution expansion". Colborn claims that MSN is "Looking for feedback". If there are things that you don't like, please feel free to tell us as well. This tool has the appearance of making it from the public beta currently on display at the above URL to rival the current keyword tools offered by both Adwords and Yahoo Search Marketing.

Questions from audience. Norvig of Google had mentioned "20% time bubbling up." An audience member asked how to determine where the lab should focus its time. Norvig replied that ideas from "20% time" allowed of Google engineers are first submitted to product management teams for review where they are voted on to move to the next level and into product development in the labs.

While little of any substance was revealed about possible new products from any of the engines research labs, it was at least illuminating to hear the differing emphasis and mindset of each company approach to research in the space. Now if they could only tell me where I left my keys in a "one box" result and get it out of beta before I'm late for the Google Dance tonight.

Copyright August 8, 2006 by Mike Banks Valentine