Google Kills SearchMash; Microsoft Live Search Now Kumo.com?

Along with killing Lively and axing SearchWiki, it appears Google has also pulled the plug on SearchMash.

SearchMash was an experimental, non-branded search engine that Google used to play around with new search methodoligies. It debuted in October 2006 and was released to the public exactly one year after. Some people actually traded in Google Search for SearchMash, were apparently very happy with the experience and are now sad to see it go.

There also seems to be a rumor circulating that Microsoft, in addition to hacking Live OneCare (thank you!), is now possibly rebranding LiveSearch as Kumo.com.

After a few months of speculation, Microsoft suddenly seems to have showed its hand. Control of the Kumo.com domain was moved from the registrar to Microsoft, and is now pointing to an internal Microsoft test site (employees only).

Incidentally, Kumo means “cloud” or “spider” in Japanese.

Note: if you really want to bank with Microsoft, you’ve got to check out this search engine loophole that will allow you to nail top ranking for any keyword on Microsoft LiveSearch.

You’ve got to see it to believe it.