Not sure if this is a bug or a “feature,” but I see that I can hide the ads on MSN’s search results by simply adding a filter clause in the query. For instance, if you search beta.search.msn.com for “Tablet PC” you’ll get the top Tablet PC sites along with ads at the top, side, and bottom of the page. However, if you add a filter clause to the search, such as {frsh=100}, the ads don’t appear in the search results. Actually, this is probably a bug, because you can place just about any simple expression inside curly brackets and the ads go away. For instance, searching for:
Tablet PC {x=0}
returns a list of Tablet PC sites without any ads. The “x” doesn’t mean anything as far as I know. And there are many variants that’ll accomplish the same thing. The query “Tablet PC {x=x}” works too.
I’m guessing this wasn’t intended, but if you don’t like ads, you may want to give it a go….that is until this “feature” is fixed.
You can use “tablet pc {z}” and the ads are present but if you use “tablet pc {z.}” then the ads are gone. The additional . seems to block the ads too.
Scratch that .. it’s even easier !
Just use two or more characters in the bracket.
“tablet pc {z1}” will remove the ads.
You want to kill it? Just use “tablet pc {1}” and you’ll get a “This site is temporarily unavailable, please check back soon.” .. put a second character and ads are gone but site results return…
Here are some even better ones.
Type “Longhorn” and you’ll get search results. Now type “Windows Longhorn” and the engine fails. You can also get it to fail by using “Longhorn buzz” …
At least http://www.hilaryduffchat.org is listed on the first page of results 😉
LOL I’m sure Birdie was thrilled to find out that her site is on the first page.:)