Internet users are getting smarter about search, and it shows. While Google and Yahoo still account for the majority of search engine usage, many web savvy surfers are beginning to turn towards alternative search sites that offer more advanced features and customizable results and options. In addition, some new search engines are employing user editors, social networking, and collaborative filtering (aka social bookmarking/tagging) to determine site relevance as opposed to using algorithms. The new breed of search engines show the evolution of the web into Web 2.0., the social web. Is a Google contender nearer than we thought? Our search marketing team has reviewed a few of these social search engines as well as some alternative engines that are just fun and cool. Turns out that there really is a search engine for everyone out there!

For the person who likes to be in control

Youlicit | http://www.youlicit.com

Youlicit is a recommendation engine that provides additional related sites based on your initial query. The query can be either a URL or a tag/keyword. Youlicit creates results based on “collaborative filtering” which means that the results come from social bookmarking sites and other user annotated web data. The goal of the engine is to provide more and more relevant information as determined by users rather than algorithms. This site is fascinating and from a few test searches it’s pretty good at returning what our searchers consider to be relevant results. Of all the search engines we’ve looked at, this one seems to be heading in the right direction toward combining social media and search technology.

Sproose | http://sproose.com

Sproose combines search engine results with social bookmarking allowing searchers to vote for site relevancy. Registered users are given more voting cred but regular users can still vote just by clicking on search results. Much like Youlicit, Sproose’s mission is to create a search engine that is “powered by people.” The idea is that the users will determine relevancy as opposed to algorithms and other methods used by traditional search engines. Compared to Youlicit, though, Sproose is really just a bookmarking site in disguise. Noticing the low number of votes on Sproose search engine results show how little folks are actually voting on this site. In Sproose’s defense, the site is only 5 months old so perhaps it is still building momentum. While Youlicit capitalizes on popular tagging sites already well entrenched on the net; Sproose expects searchers to do that work all over again. The idea seems to be on the right track, but the execution probably needs some more refinement.

For the person who likes to search for people online

Spock | http://www.spock.com

Spock is a search engine for those who like to look up old friends online. The engine compiles info from biography pages, social networks, news sites, blogs, directories, and other places where personal information may be accessible online. The engine adds an additional social networking element by allowing users to help refine results by tagging entries for people, adding related people to an entry, adding a news feed or news item, or adding links to online profiles. Spock is a bit like a Wikipedia for people. The site is still in BETA and it shows, but Spock is a great example of how search engines are adapting and customizing their features for the Web 2.0.

For the Command Line Geek

YubNub | http://www.yubnub.org

From a single command line, YubNub interfaces with all the major search engines, social media sites, and just about any useful website you can think of to give users the info they need fast. Want to search Google? Type “g” into YubNub’s search box, followed by your search term. How about Yahoo? Just use a “y” instead. YubNub will redirect you to the matching search engine’s results pages.

Using simple, intuitive commands like these followed by your search subject, you can use YubNub to quickly fetch results from most of your favorite websites. For example, try using “wp” for Wikipedia, “am” for Amazon, and “flk” for Flickr. And that’s just for starters. There are currently thousands of specialized YubNub commands available, and the list keeps growing. You can view a pretty extensive list here. Even though it might take a little time to memorize some of the more useful commands, power searchers will find that YubNub’s features end up saving considerable time. YouNub is the search engine for folks who live for the command line.

For the Multi-Tasker

SplitSearch | http://www.splitsearch.com

SplitSearch is a simple but handy website that creates a split-screen “mashup” of search results from the Web’s two most popular engines, Google and Yahoo.

Users can choose between a horizontal or a vertical mashup, like below:

For general users, the split screen allows you to “comparison shop” from the two most popular search engines. For industry folks, it’s a quick way to check out your rankings on Yahoo and Google and also a good competitive research tool.

For the Paranoid Web Searcher

Googlonymous | http://www.googlonymous.com

Googlonymous is exactly what it sounds like: a website that lets users search Google “100%” anonymously…or so it claims. Its decidedly “no-frills” homepage greets you with a somewhat frightening message and video about privacy concerns over your Google search history, and cites references to cases where such information has been used against people in a court of law.

When you search on Google, your ip address and the time are stored in their database forever, as well as the subject searched. This inforation [sic] can be used against you in the court of law.

The site claims it protects user’s identities because all search queries to Google appear to be coming from Googlonymous, and not a user’s individual IP addresses. Googlonymous claims it stores none of this data, but also cautions that URL requests could still be intercepted and stored by your Internet service provider. The typos in their homepage statement somewhat erode their legitimacy for me but an engine like this provides interesting food for thought for Google users. It reminds us that our information IS being tracked, stored, and used by Google.

For the Video Junkie

blinkx | http://www.blinkx.com

blinkx successfully takes on the daunting task of continuously refining the technology that allows for a video search engine. According to the company’s bio the Blinkx video search technology was “conceived at Cambridge University, enhanced by $150M in R&D over 12 years, and is now protected by 111 patents.” ‘blinkx uses a unique combination of patented conceptual search, speech recognition and video analysis software to efficiently, automatically and accurately find and qualify online video.” Like many other aggregate search sites, what’s impressive is the places that blinkx goes to index videos. The major players like MySpace and YouTube are represented, but also local TV stations that use videos, MSNBC, Fox News, CNN, Reuters and other publishers are also having their video indexed. Video search technology is still emerging but blinkx looks to corner the market.

For those Bored Office Moments

GoogleBattle | http://www.googlebattle.com

Brought to you by the same folks who created Split Search, GoogleBattle allows searchers to battle two different keywords/keyword phrases to see which one has the most Google search results. For instance you can battle Britney Spears and Lindsay Lohan to see who is more popular in Google (Britney). For more practical battles you can determine which phrase has the most results and use that to decide which terms you use in Web site or marketing copy. For instance in a battle between the terms “consumer generated content” and “user generated content” the former was resoundingly bashed.

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