Typical Search: maybeword +yesword -"no phrase"
Default Operator: OR (if boolean is selected, the default selected is AND)
Boolean: + or AND, - or AND NOT, OR, *, nesting ( ) *note boolean must be selected first*
Case Sensitivity: not case sensitive, except for unusual cases (neXt)
Word Stemming: if it is selected (checkbox)
Stop Words: are used
Special Keywords: most of the HotBot special keywords can be used
Index: MSN uses Inktomi's index, also Looksmart, and sometimes RealNames, top sites from Direct Hit, and Overture results. Only Inktomi is used on the advanced search.
Unique: none
Customize: preferences (spelling, results, summaries)
More: none
One of the most popular Inktomi-based search engines, MSN does include good boolean and advanced searching. One thing I like is the ability to choose how equally relevant results are sorted. Unfortunately, MSN has few language limits and little customization. MSN now claims to be the most popular search engine in the United States, although much of its popularity is because people can get to it by searching in Internet Explorer's address bar. Some listings are accompanied by small thumbnail images of the websites.

This page was last updated on March 8, 2002. Submit changes here.