WebProNews

Microsoft looks to Hollywood buzz to give its search service a boost, with the arrival of Live Search xRank for the hoi polloi.

Heh, I don't think I've ever been able to use 'hoi polloi' in an article. I've worked oenologist two or three times, but this is a new one, and it comes in conjunction with Microsoft's latest effort at gaining more mass appeal for its Live Search.

Live Search's Andy Lam pointed out the inside scoop about xRank on the service's blog:

• The xRank list that is based on search volume. Honest, we're not making this up... I don't even like Lil Wayne that much.
• A list for what we call "Top Movers" — celebs that are making strides up the ranks.
• Recent news articles on buzz-worthy celebs.
• A historical xRank graph that tracks popularity over time (my personal fave).
• Links to Images, Video, Biography, plus Albums and Movies.
• Related Celebrity thumbnails that link to other xRank pages.

The xRank beta test shows the top ranked celebrities, musicians, and politicians in Live Search. Visitors can also look at the top movers, to see who's getting attention from searchers.

We anticipate Microsoft making this more widely noticeable by placing it within their MSN properties. It should be on MSN Entertainment right now, rather than languishing on the sidelines in beta.