xbiz world
xbiz premiere

Microsoft Getting Into Search-Engine Business

REDMOND, Wash. – Microsoft Corp. said Friday it would launch a pair of new Internet search services later this year.

Microsoft, which conceded Thursday it made a mistake when it chose to form partnerships with competitors rather than develop its own search technology, said it will launch MSN Newsbot, which gathers news from thousands of news sites, and MSN Blogbot, which can search web logs, or personal web pages.

MSN spokesman Yusuf Mehdi told Dow Jones Newswires that the software giant is also working on technology called MSN Answerbot, which would let web surfers type questions rather than search terms and get natural language answers. Mehdi did not reveal a release date.

Microsoft made the announcement at a meeting of online advertisers hosted by the software giant.

Ask Jeeves Inc. was an early pioneer in natural-language queries. Microsoft rivals Google and Yahoo already have news search services.

Copyright © 2026 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

Brazil: New AV Requirements Set to Take Effect March 17

President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva this week gave final approval to new regulations requiring adult websites to age-verify users located in Brazil starting March 17.

FSC Recommends Platforms Integrate StopNCII.org Tool

In a blog post, Free Speech Coalition (FSC) has recommended that platforms integrate the StopNCII.org tool to prevent the sharing of non-consensual intimate imagery (NCII).

Utah 'Porn Tax' Bill With VPN Provisions Passes State Senate

The Utah state Senate has passed a bill that would impose a 2% tax on the revenues of adult websites doing business in that state, and make sites liable if Utah minors use VPNs to circumvent geolocation.

Fast-Tracked Arizona Bill Includes Consent 'Catch-22' for Adult Sites

A bill advancing rapidly through the Arizona state legislature would impose new requirements for adult content uploaded online, including seemingly contradictory provisions that could effectively make it impossible for adult sites to operate in the state.

VirtualRealPorn Launches WebXR-Enabled Site

VirtualRealPorn has officially launched its new site, built on Web Extended Reality (WebXR) technology.

'MyAsianGFs' Launches Through Paysite.com

MyAsianGFs.com has officially launched through Paysite.com.

Corey Silverstein to Host Webinar on North Carolina Age Verification Thursday

Adult industry attorney Corey D. Silverstein has announced his latest "Legal Impact" webinar, titled "North Carolina AV Law — Content Creation Issues," to livestream Thursday at 4 p.m. (EST).

Ofcom Fines 8579 LLC $1.8 Million for AV Noncompliance

U.K. media regulator Ofcom on Monday imposed a fine of 1.35 million pounds (more than $1.8 million) against adult site operator 8579 LLC for failing to implement age checks as required for compliance with the Online Safety Act.

Pearl Industry Network Launches 'TrustLink' Creator Verification Platform

Trade group Pearl Industry Network (PiN) has launched TrustLink, its free creator verification platform.

FSC Updates Complaint in Tennessee AV Case, AG Motions to Dismiss

The Free Speech Coalition this week filed an amended complaint in its lawsuit challenging the Protect Tennessee Minors Act as unconstitutional, in response to which the Tennessee attorney general motioned for dismissal of the case.

Show More