Aardvark Revamps Site, Becomes “Social Search Engine”


Aardvark has redesigned its site and repositioned somewhat as a “social search engine.” The site can be accessed directly, via IM, Twitter and the iPhone. You can also sign in using Facebook Connect, which sends your activity on Aardvark back to your news feed on Facebook.

What Aardvark is trying to do is not new — there have been Q&A sites for some time — but it’s trying to execute as a better version of the concept of peer-to-peer advice or answers. Once could also call this “human powered search.” Services like kgb and ChaCha also try to do something similar but with trained “guides” or agents rather than one’s network or friends of friends. Yahoo Answers is arguably the incumbent in the space.

Aardvark’s IP is all about question routing and management. I’ve been using Aardvark off and on for a few months and it generally works well and delivers answers (up to four) in a few minutes. The most compelling incarnation of the service is on the iPhone in my view.

Picture 49

The big challenge for the service is to prove that it can deliver more trust, precision or value than a Google search.



Greg Sterling is a Contributing Editor at Search Engine Land, and writes a personal blog Screenwerk, examining the broader world of media and advertising. He also posts at a Local Mobile Search, which is focused on the mobile Internet.

See more articles by Greg Sterling >


Share, Bookmark & Discuss This Article
More:


Keep Updated: News Via Email | News Via RSS Feed | News Via Twitter


See more stories like this in the Members Library! Check out the Features: General, Search Engines: Social Search Engines, Top News sections of the Members Library where this story is filed. Members also get access to exclusive video content, a members-only weekly & monthly newsletter, plus more. Check out all the benefits!

POST A COMMENT

Got a comment? Log in, register to comment or become a premium member to comment without CAPTCHA hassles, to have your own custom picture/avatar appear, plus many other benefits.


RECENT COMMENTS

  • dian said " I haven't tried that yet but if it is the way Mazter is saying I think it won't going to do any good"
  • dian said " It really helps me a lot. The methods step by step explained the important factors easily and all th"
  • T Campbell said " Ah, that's SPIDER-Man, said the comics guy."

See All »


FREE DAILY SEARCH NEWS RECAP!

Stay on top of all the search news with our daily summary, the SearchCap newsletter. View a sample ›

STAY CURRENT THROUGHOUT THE DAY

RSS Feeds

The Search Engine Land feed keeps you informed as news happens. SEE ALL FEEDS »

Upcoming Search Engine Land Conferences

Advertise With Us »

Search Engine Land produces SMX, the Search Marketing Expo conference series. SMX events deliver the most comprehensive educational and networking experiences - whether you're just starting in search marketing or you're a seasoned expert.


SMX Web Site » | SMX Difference » | SMX News »


Join us at an upcoming SMX event:

Search Marketing Now Learn more about search marketing with our free online webcasts and webinars from our sister site, Search Marketing Now. Upcoming online events include:


See more webcast topics »

TRACK US SOCIALLY
Upcoming Search Engine Land Conferences

Get Your Search Engine Land
Premium Membership!

Become a premium member today and receive:

  • Express commenting privileges & photo.
  • Exclusive videos & newsletters.
  • Discounts to our SMX conferences.
  • Access to "How To" & Other Archives.

Learn More

Upcoming Search Engine Land Conferences
Add to GoogleAdd to My Yahoo!Add to BloglinesAdd to NetvibesAdd to Windows Live