Less than two weeks after the official launch of Google Base, Microsoft said it has been testing a free online classifieds service, code-named Fremont, that will allow users to list items for sale, events and other information that can be shared over the internet with selected groups or with all others, writes CNET. Contextual ads would appear alongside search results.

"Basically, it will be a free listing service, with a bunch of twists to make it very unique, such as integration with social networks, in particular integration with MSN Messenger," Garry Wiseman, MSN product unit manager, told CNET.

Listing can be searchable via the MSN search site or the standalone site. Users can specify that only those on their MSN Messenger buddy list or MSN Spaces network be able to view the listings. Searchers can target their searches to their buddy list or geographically.

Listings are integrated with MSN Virtual Earth and are viewable on a map.

"We started this [in February] before anyone knew about Google Base. Having seen what Google Base is doing, I don't think they were aiming for a classifieds service," Wiseman said. "They don't have a taxonomy of listings like we do. They see it as an open database."