Live Search Adds Malware Warnings To Search Results


Live Search Malware Warning

MSN’s Live Search has announced the addition of malware warnings to their search results pages. In doing so, Live Search joins Google and Yahoo in taking a proactive stance against potentially dangerous sites; Google began adding malware warnings in early 2007. Yahoo added SearchScan alerts in May of this year.

The Live Search implementation is different from how the other two search engines show malware warnings. When a potentially harmful page shows up in the Live Search results, users see no warning until they actually try to click on the link. When they do click, a small “pop-up” box appears to the far right of the listing. Here’s what it says:

Live Search Malware Warning

On the other hand, both Google and Yahoo show the warning immediately, without the need for a user click:

Google Malware Warning:

Google Malware Warning In SERPs

Yahoo SearchScan Warning:

Yahoo! dangerous search result alert

It’s good that Live Search has joined Yahoo and Google in warning users about possibly harmful sites. But to be frank, the Live Search implementation of this warning suffers from poor usability. By placing the alert to the far right, it’s not where users are looking as they click. Because of that, and because the warning is in small text on a white background, searchers may miss the message altogether.

Webmasters whose sites are flagged by Live Search as being dangerous are encouraged to sign up for Live Search Webmaster Tools to get more information about fixing and securing their web site.



Matt McGee is the Search Engine Land Assignment Editor, and offers search marketing consulting and training to businesses of all sizes. He blogs at Small Business Search Marketing and HyperlocalBlogger.com.

See more articles by Matt McGee >


Share, Bookmark & Discuss This Article
More:


Keep Updated: News Via Email | News Via RSS Feed | News Via Twitter


See more stories like this in the Members Library! Check out the Microsoft: Bing, Search Features: Safety, Top News sections of the Members Library where this story is filed. Members also get access to exclusive video content, a members-only weekly & monthly newsletter, plus more. Check out all the benefits!

Comments are closed.


RECENT COMMENTS

  • nuttakorn said " I think 2010 is about Real-time and personalize search algorithms that Google will pay attention to "
  • nuttakorn said " I just heard many sources that Google.cn will shut down tomorrow. You can see this source of news fr"
  • Clifford Bryan said " Interesting concept but I don't see Google being as worried as the article implies. Google has throw"

See All »


FREE DAILY SEARCH NEWS RECAP!

SearchCap is a once-per-day newsletter update:

STAY CURRENT THROUGHOUT THE DAY

Our feed & social options update you as news happens.


Advertise With Us »

Search Marketing Expo

Search Engine Land produces SMX, the Search Marketing Expo conference series. SMX events deliver the most comprehensive educational and networking experiences - whether you're just starting in search marketing or you're a seasoned expert.


SMX Web Site » | SMX Difference » | SMX News »


Join us at an upcoming SMX event:

Search Marketing Now Learn more about search marketing with our free online webcasts and webinars from our sister site, Search Marketing Now. Upcoming online events include:


See more webcast topics »

FOLLOW US SOCIALLY
Upcoming Search Engine Land Conferences

Get Your Search Engine Land
Premium Membership!

Become a premium member today and receive:

  • Express commenting privileges & photo.
  • Exclusive videos & newsletters.
  • Discounts to our SMX conferences.
  • Access to "How To" & Other Archives.

Learn More

Upcoming Search Engine Land Conferences
Add to GoogleAdd to My Yahoo!Add to BloglinesAdd to NetvibesAdd to Windows Live