Search Engine Optimization News Blog

In a bold move, Yahoo has filed a patent for the idea of ‘meal searches’ on the web, which at first glance seems mildly preposterous.

The patent application reads:

“Method and system for searching for a meal using the Internet are disclosed. The method includes receiving a user request to search a meal on the Internet, presenting one or more pictures of food dishes to the user, where each picture of a food dish is associated with metadata describing characteristics of the food dish, receiving a user selection, analyzing the user selection according to the characteristics of each food dish presented, and providing additional information to the user according to the user selection.”

“Huh?” you say, confused.

Well, basically you could search by what you felt like eating, and pull up pictures of dishes offered. Info would be provided with the characteristics of each dish, possible sides, beverages and desserts, nutrition information, etc. Maybe even recipes could be included, or suggestions of food markets where you could find unusual ingredients.

OK, now you’re saying, “So what?”

Aha. Remember that pesky new thing called mobile search?

Suppose you are out with your cousin from Cleveland. Your friends call and want to grab lunch. They suggest a certain type of ethnic food, and you all search on your phones for a centrally located restaurant that provides the type of food desired, but doesn’t use a particular type of oil your cousin happens to be violently allergic to.

Maria is counting carbs, so she wants to be sure they offer weight watcher portions, while Josie wants to know what kind of dessert they have! Ben can only make it for an hour, and wants everyone to decide what they want ahead of time so that you can order right when you sit down and not waste time with menus. You promised Chuck to bring home something for dinner, so you call him too and tell him to pick what he wants.

Normally, you would have to roll the dice, pick a restaurant and take your chances. You wouldn’t actually know how it was going to play out until you got there, had the menus in your hands and got to see the selection for yourself. You might have to cross your fingers as cousin George took that first bite, hoping that he doesn’t swell up and fall over.

First option sounds better, doesn’t it?

This could all be possible if Yahoo could pull it together.

Now I’m hungry…