Yahoo Unveils Search Assist, Improves Search - Will These Changes Help Yahoo?
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There’s no question that these changes and modifications to Yahoo’s search are helpful. By making these changes, Yahoo is taking its search engine in almost the same direction as the other search major search engines. Google’s Universal search already combines the features that Yahoo is putting together here. Likewise, Ask 3D is quite similar in concept.
The differences are in the details. For example, if you do a search on Google for the Beach Boys, you actually don’t get any images on the first page, though you do get links to lyrics. At the bottom of the first page of search results, Google lists related searches. With a search for the same thing on MSN, the related searches list is on the upper right; near the top of the results are displayed four Beach Boys album covers. The results for Ask, meanwhile, with its 3D approach, are little short of awesome.
The largest differentiating factor for Yahoo is its use of AJAX. It speeds up your search considerably. Also, the ability to turn off Search Assist practically eliminates its potential to be annoying, without at the same time causing it to get lost in the shuffle. To me, however, the best part is the fact that you can get many of the results you’re looking for just by clicking on the appropriate link in the SERPs, without having to wait for your browser to load a new site. It’s a great way for Yahoo to deliver on its promise of one-click searching.
Interestingly, it also improves the “stickiness” of Yahoo’s web site. If you’re finding what you want and you don’t have to leave a site to get to what you’re looking for, you’d be inclined to stay a little longer. You might watch that video right in Yahoo rather than going to the site that’s hosting it. This could be good for those who advertise with Yahoo – and therefore good for Yahoo’s bottom line. Time alone will tell, but perhaps Yahoo is beginning to find its way again.
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