Microsoft Decides It Doesn’t Want To Play In Classifieds, Shutters Live Expo

Microsoft’s Live Expo was an interesting mix of listings and social networking features. But it was an experiment that Microsoft has decided it doesn’t want to continue, like Book Search. Expo is closing down on July 31. Microsoft has apparently decided that Expo and potentially classifieds in general are not core to its position in […]

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Microsoft’s Live Expo was an interesting mix of listings and social networking features. But it was an experiment that Microsoft has decided it doesn’t want to continue, like Book Search. Expo is closing down on July 31.


Microsoft has apparently decided that Expo and potentially classifieds in general are not core to its position in search and/or local. eBay’s Kijiji has been making steady gains in Canada and abroad and Craigslist continues to dominate the category of horizontal classifieds marketplaces. (If Microsoft eventually buys eBay it would re-enter the business accordingly.)

Redmond could have subsidized Expo for some time and allowed it to grow, but it appears that the company has decided these are resources not well spent.

Live Expo


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About the author

Greg Sterling
Contributor
Greg Sterling is a Contributing Editor to Search Engine Land, a member of the programming team for SMX events and the VP, Market Insights at Uberall.

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