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After years of operating
as a web directory, LookSmart has suddenly changed to a pay per click
search engine. Those of you who previously submitted sites to Look$mart
at a cost of up to $299.00 per page with the idea that the page would
remain in the directory for an extended period if accepted by the editor
are in for a rude awakening.
The new program provides some
free traffic for sites already in the database, however in the long run
you will have to pay at least .15 for every visitor delivered to your
site as a result of a listing in Look$mart.
We believe this will further
degrade the Look$mart directory, make it one of the most skewed search
services on the web. In effect, this turns MSN into one big yellow pages.
The top MSN listings are paid advertising from Overture, the directory
results are paid advertising from LookSmart, and many of the Inktomi "web
page" results are from large advertisers either paying for inclusion
or by the click to be there. Interestingly, non of these results are labeled
as advertising.
We do not advise utilizing
MSN or LookSmart to search the web or as a method of promoting your site.
The variety and relevancy of search results are much better at any other
search site. We believe that there are much more ethical and reputable
web properties at which to spend your advertising dollars.
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