ActiveWin.com - The Most Activated Windows Resource

Tough Love For Microsoft Search

Time: 00:22 EST/05:22 GMT | News Source: *Linked Within Post* | Posted By: Kenneth van Surksum

Danny Sullivan : Back in June, I spoke at Microsoft as part of a regular series for those involved with its webmaster tools group and anyone generally interested in search. My talk was called “Tough Love For Microsoft Search,” and I covered various reasons why I felt the company has generally failed to make headway in the space. The core premise is that Microsoft as a company isn’t succeeding at search because it views search as a task it has to do, rather than one it really wants to do. The article below is an adaptation of that presentation. There’s even a movie.

Let me say from the outset that there are those within Microsoft who DO love search — in particular, those involved with the search products. I also want them to succeed. Very much so. Google does need a counter-balance, and Microsoft has a quality search product that could provide this. But sadly, I also feel the same people within Microsoft who are so diligently trying to succeed are let down by a company culture overall that sees the internet and search in particular as a kind of sideshow.