Google is the Goliath of search; but should we be watching alternate modes more closely? Yahoo celebrated their fifth year of independent search recently, and also introduced ‘Rich Search’ – a way for advertisers to initiate commercial play with video and image results in the paid results sector of the SERPs. This brings added revenue to Yahoo, and increases the recognition of brand names – but will searchers switch to yahoo because of Rich Search? Probably not.
The place to be watching is the social engines and real time databases; the places where the hip and on top of it gather. Twitter has developed their own beta of an onsite search engine, allowing people to search topics and conversations to track trends instantly.
This real time discussion search has huge implications for the much speculated form of monetization which has been awaited in regard to social networks such as Twitter and Facebook. The ability to conduct onsite searches live will no doubt attract flocks (sorry bad pun) of Twitterers and bring new traffic to the site as well.
EBay has also introduced new search technology, and is about to send their old search engine to Deep Space Nine. The new engine was so well received that over 90% of users have already voluntarily switched, an amazing number for a new application. US users are the lone holdout, stating they fund the new form clumsy – the majority rules, however, and the retirement will take place in April.
In the midst of all the searching, Google still stands tall – but perhaps a vertical pattern will emerge for real time conversations and forums. The anticipation of what people want is Google’s self acclaimed forte after all, as anyone who has experienced their “Did you mean…?”. Watch for new developments as the Twitter search continues in beta, but don’t expect people to abandon Google anytime soon!
Tags: Facebook, Google, Twitter, Yahoo Rich Search