Steven H. Berkowitz, who has a track record of turning around Internet businesses, on Wednesday was named chief executive of real estate Web site operator Move Inc.

Berkowitz, who ran Microsoft Corp.’s MSN online site from 2006 to 2008, succeeds Michael Long, who has run the company since 2002 and is retiring. Berkowitz’s appointment is effective immediately, Westlake Village-based Move said. The company’s sites include Move.com, Realtor.com and Moving.com.

Berkowitz takes over in the midst of the worst housing slump since the Internet became a popular medium for marketing properties. Before his tenure at Microsoft, Berkowitz ran the search engine Ask Jeeves, guiding it to a recovery after the dot-com crash of 2000 and eventually selling it in 2005 to IAC/InterActiveCorp.

“His deep knowledge of content delivery and his comprehensive understanding of the changing advertising and operating environments make him the ideal person to lead the company into the future,” said Chairman Joe Hanauer in a statement.

Prior to the announcement, Move shares closed up 7 cents, or 5 percent, to $1.52 on the Nasdaq.