CSBE builds on the Google Custom Search Engine, a hosted search solution we introduced last October that allows organisations to create a search engine and search results that are tailored to their point of view. This is all well and good, but businesses have asked us for greater flexibility and support - and we're addressing these needs through CSBE.

Businesses that want further control over results presentation and integration with their website can obtain results through XML. Now those of you with business sites have the option to turn off ads and have further control over branding. In addition, CSBE provides options for email and phone support. The pricing starts at US$100 per year for searching up to 5,000 pages.

This offering should be a great help to all the Australian businesses that have a web presence but don't offer users any way to search the site. Instead of being left on their own to navigate content, visitors to CSBE-enabled sites will be able to navigate through search results without ever leaving the site. We hope an improved customer search experience will translate into more referrals, more opportunities for e-commerce, and more satisfied online customers for these Australian businesses. Here's more about CSBE.