Amazon Drops Google for Windows Live

By Nate Mook | Published May 1, 2006, 11:18 AM

Online retailer Amazon.com has dropped Google as its search result provider and selected Microsoft's new Windows Live Search instead. The change affects both Amazon's A9.com search engine and the company's Alexa toolbar and Web site.

The move is the first public show of support for Microsoft new search technology, which will eventually replace MSN Search after it leaves beta. Although neither Amazon nor Microsoft announced the switch, it follows rumors that eBay was also talking to the Redmond company in response to competition from Google Base. Amazon, like eBay, allows its users to sell their goods through the online store.

Comments

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Worst move anybody could make. How do you drop Google? I wonder if their stock went down as a result.

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VERY BAD move Amazon

Good thing I don't shop there anymore...

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That sound you hear is Amazon sucking more than ever.

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WRong! Google is getting bad.

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tested it vrs Google, and it's... crap.
my 2bytes

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Wonder how much that deal cost MS?

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Windows Live Seach sucks compaird to Google. Google still is far, far superior to WLS

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You have to be kidding. MSN Search and WLS both find more relevant information then google does. If I want to search 3-5 pages I would use google, if I want my info on the first page I use WLS and MSN Search.

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Out of curiosity, what are you searching for on a regular basis?

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General information about Microsoft, Apple, etc. Issues that my customers are having problem with. Stuff like that.

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Great point, don't forget MS bent over very easily!

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ahh, you just subcounciously admitted Google better-- quote:"...more relevant information then google does...

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Exactly, with Google your search results are not very good. With windows live and msn its almost always on the first page.

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When it comes to returning relevant search results, Google is still on top.

The infiniti scrolling gives incentive for me to keep looking at results though. It make people to search futher than 2-3 pages, unlike Google.

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Odd. I search the same issues, though less Apple stuff, likely, and get everything I need from the first few links given by Google.

Makes me think it's not only what's searched for, but how. Google may be set up more for keywords than for natural language searches, and MSN Live may be the opposite. (Of course, it could be the other way 'round)

Makes it pretty hard to grade a search engine since you'd be using your own methodologies, which could be vastly different than anyone else's.

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That is true. I am not using keywords so much. I ask what I want, and MSN Search and WLS finds what I want. Google finds alot of junk, porn advertisment from other search, searches inside of other search, etc.

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uh-huh. You really shouldn't lie like that, it just makes you sound like a fanboy.

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Even my customers are coming to the same conclusion, that search.msn.com and live.com find the information faster and does not show crap.

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Smells like Microsoft is getting desperate and rebating its technology to regain market shares. It will be interesting to see what Google does. In the end, I cannot trust Microsoft anymore. I got burnt too many times with their shody products and dubious quality. It's sad my reaction is pure negative by now when I am in front anything that company does.

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I trust Microsoft more than Google nowaday. And may I ask what kind of shody products you referring too?

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I just don't like the idea that ALL my search data is stored. If Windows Live are doing it too, at least they're not showing it back to me.

On a side topic, how Google Talk can record your entire conversations into your gmail account... f'n scarey!

I keep one finger in each pie anyway, I don't see any point in becoming a pimp to one company when you can have the best of all worlds.

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"shody products and dubious quality"

I think many people here would disagree with that opinion, myself included. You are implying that their products are bad.

I dont like IE, but I know MS makes so many great software and hardware.

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Ladies & gentlemen:
ARE---YOU---RRREADY?!?
For the thousands in attendance-- and the millions watching around the globe...LET'S GET READY TO RRRUUUMMMBBBLLLLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Google, your dessert? Has just been eaten!

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Hardly.

I imagine they're laughing. Amazon seems to be suffering from a small case of MPD lately.

As to eBay's reaction. I find it very odd since Google base isn't even close to being a competitor.

Though I do get some enjoyment out of watching someone completely out of the target area ducking for cover.

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The Google payment system is a direct rival of PayPal. eBay's response = talk to Microsoft.

The controvesial Google Book Search allow publisher to sell books to customers, bypassing Amazon entirely.
Amazon's response = Dump Google for Microsoft.

This is despite the fact that Amazon's CEO being one of the few Class A shareholders in Google. This is all about business.

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True. I hadn't even thought about Amazon for a long time. Their customer service got so bad it wasn't worth making a purchase there anymore. I think they're looking in the wrong area for the problem.

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