MSN Goes Local

Microsoft has released a beta version of their MSN Local Search service which will let people get local results from MSN search.

The next time you use MSN Search, just click on the “Near Me” or “Local” buttons to get results that are close to home. The new query engine will provide users results from city and region specific directories, including personal web sites, maps and even aerial satellite images. The new MSN Local search engine is currently in Beta testing.

Named “Virtual Earth” the next generation local search engine will combine local and mobile search, mapping technologies and aerial images. The new search engine will tie in multiple features to let a person search for a specific location, provide driving instructions and even provide entertainment and other areas of interest near their destination. Virtual Earth is expected to be free, where areas Google’s similar service called “Google Earth” will only be available to paying subscribers of Keyhole, which is a service owned by Google.