ChaCha Dances onto Search Engine Scene

When one thinks of computers, they may sense that these machines are taking over the world, that there is not much these computers can't do.

Except for maybe finding the right results on a search query.

But that's something a human can do. And, getting some assistance from a living, breathing, information-seeking human is the latest way to perform an online search. ChaCha, the newest search engine to take the on-ramp to the Information Superhighway, was born from the frustration of two computer gurus. After continually getting inundated with pages of irrelevant search results, Scott Jones and Brad Bostic pledged to create a better search engine, one powered by human intelligence. ChaCha is named for the Chinese word for search, "cha" and then repeated to represent the American dance.

When users visit ChaCha, they have the option to search with or without a guide. Searching without a guide is nothing unique to the querying world. In fact, Google and Yahoo still seem to outshine the regular ChaCha search results. However, one positive aspect is that saved results found helpful by guides performing similar searches do show up. (It will mention, "results by ChaCha Guide Jane Doe.") So, as more human searches are executed, ChaCha's arsenal of unique results will grow. This enables better search results for future searches are time goes on.

ChaCha enlisted Internet gurus across the nation become trained as guides in various topics and specific keywords. To use the live guide, users type their query and click the "Search with Guide" button. The query is sent to the thousands of available guides, and almost instantly, one of them will accept the search. An instant messenger window pops up where the info seeker and guide can communicate.

The guide will clarify any vague searches and then begin searching. Handpicked results and descriptions appear in a window on the user's screen. The user can check the links to make sure they are helpful, any unwanted are removed by the guide. When the user is happy, the search is completed and the user rates the guide. ChaCha guides are paid for their time searching, but their pay is dependent upon meeting various criteria to move up the ranks.

ChaCha guides choose topics they are familiar with, as well as are trained on search tricks not known to the average surfer, thus the ChaCha human advantage.