Localized Search Revamped

The latest update to MSN Search incorporates maps and satellite photos, and will eventually use data from MSN’s forthcoming Virtual Earth mapping and location service.

The beta of MSN Local Search, introduced in June 2005, lets a user enter a search term, such as “Chinese restaurants,” or a last name; determines the user’s location from their IP address; and then returns several sets of localized listings, as follows:

Business and residential listings. MSN Local Search uses a directory service provided by Amacai Information to look up addresses, then displays the locations on maps provided by Microsoft’s MapPoint Web service and on satellite photographs from TerraServer (a now-independent project started by Microsoft Research). After the launch of Virtual Earth, expected by Sept. 2005, these listings will incorporate redesigned maps and aerial pictures (provided by Pictometry) from that service.

Web results. MSN Local Search also offers results from Web pages, compiled by MSN Search into geographic locations based on information on those pages (such as a ZIP code). These results are the same as those offered by the original Search Near Me function, which was introduced on MSN Search in fall 2004.