Microsoft has re-launched Live Search along with its xRank features.
Today I was surprised to find the following picture embedded in Microsoft’s Live Search home page.
Or is it the other way around?
I was surprised to find the Microsoft Live Search box embedded in a picture of Barack Obama.
Live Search Barack Obam
I am not sure but I think this is a first.
Embed your search home page in images from the day’s headlines?
If your search appliance isn’t gaining search traffic market share from its competition piggy back your product on news and images known to produce search traffic by bolting your search box onto the backs of the day’s top headlines?
Yahoo already does this to some degree but Live Search has taken its editorial to a new level.
If search was previously defined by it’s transparency and absence of bias, Microsoft Live Search has now flip flopped with its decision to make its editorial choice the cover of their Live Search home page.
It will be interesting to see if this decision increases Microsoft’s Live Search traffic volume and market share or if it puts off both its otherwise loyal search users while dissuading potential additional search audience members from visiting the Live Search site.
Drilling down from the home page Live Search provides five categories of Live Search xRank results: Celebrity, Musician, Politician, Blogger and Olympics.
I assume as news cycles ebb and flow, so will their xRank editorial categories selections.
By optimizing its home page for maximum search audience traffic through co-opting the day’s headlines, Live Search has literally given new meaning to the terms search engine optimization and SEO.
Live Search xRank Celebrity
Live Search Celebrity xRank
Live Search xRank Musician
Live Search Musician xRank
Live Search xRank Politician
Live Search Politician xRank
Live Search xRank Blogger
Live Search Blogger xRank
Live Search xRank Olympics
Live Search Olympics xRank
Search Marketing Communications 
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