Ask revamps search with community-based answers
- Added:
- Jul 28, 2010
Ask.com has launched a new site focused on Q&A-based queries, with results based on user generated answers to questions.
The move comes as the fourth biggest search engine looks to gain lost ground on rivals Google, Yahoo and MSN’s Bing.
Rather than relying solely on the Web, the updated Ask.com combines real user interaction with standard Internet search to help users find info.
The new site actually harks back to the company’s initial question orieanted focus, which it had back when it launched in 1996. This time, however, the power of the people is a core part of the equation.
Users type a question into the Ask.com home page and click "Search" as usual.
The site returns a list of Web-based answers and then, provides the users with a button to "ask the community," too.
Clicking this link allows users to fine-tune their question and list a series of keywords to help the system categorize the query.
If a user is asking about cookie recipes, for example, they might use keywords like "baking," "cookies," and "recipes." Ask.com would then route the question to other users who have indicated they're experts in those areas.
