If you’ve ever used any type of automated program to do search queries on the search engines, no doubt you’ve come across the infamous Google message stating that you’ve got a virus and they’re not gonna let you search.  After a few hours this problem goes away and you can perform your automated queries again.

Yahoo does the same thing and only blocks you for a few hours.  And so it goes with MSN.

Ask.com on the other hand bans you for LIFE.  You have one opportunity to get unbanned with them through a web interface and after that – even via e-mails – you just get a canned answer saying “sucks to be you” (paraphrased).

I can’t say that my feelings are hurt but with the number of people who have dynamic IPs I find it interesting that they would choose this solution.  BAM – there goes another IP and another possible customer for Ask.

Do you think it’s a good solution?