Microsoft launched a beta version of its new MSN Search, which offers an interface similar to Google's (although not quite as well designed, as the top of results is cluttered with unorganized information) and what is in some areas a better relevance engine. It also places local search in a conventient location, with a Near Me button next to the search button. The Near Me feature automatically determines where you live and directs results from that area. At the moment, no ads appear on the search results, but that may change when it comes out of beta.

But Google won't sit idly by while what is in some ways a better search engine reaches the public eye. Google doubled their index to over 8 million webpages and other document formats. It is also likely that they're developing an optimized and personalized relevance system like that offered by A9, since it's quite obvious that A9 is serious competition (that is, unless Google is actually supporting it temporarily in order to test the public reaction to the obvious potential privacy concerns surrounding it).

The truth is, although Microsoft is given a lot of credit for early search technology, they really don't have very much experience in this field, and it will be very difficult to compete with a company like Google, especially since Microsoft is reportedly quite a tedious place to work at and Google is very much centered around making the employees happy and enthusiastic about their work.

Update 2004.11.11: Nevermind, the beta MSN Search does have ads. In fact, more ads in more places than Google. Oh well.