ChaCha a Great Tool for AC Writers?

For those of you who do not know, ChaCha is a human powered search engine, in the Beta stage of development. People are the power here, just type ChaCha in your search bar, or download a ChaCha toolbar. You can then search with the help of a guide (person on the other end), or search on your own just like you would search in google, or dogpile. The search doesn't cost you anything, and you do not have to register or give anyone your name or e-mail address.

There are tons of articles out there about being a guide for ChaCha, but did you know ChaCha is an excellent tool to use when you are doing research? They have thousands of results at your finger tips. Just type in your search, and click enter to see what the standard results bring up, better yet press the search with guide button.

When you choose search with a guide, ChaCha will connect you with a guide who specializes in the key words you are searching for. The guide will do the searching for you while you, sip your coffee, help your kids with homework, or watch American Idol. You can also describe to your guide in more detail what kind of information you are looking for. Google is great, but sometimes you need a new outlook on your research (a second opinion), and you cannot always clarify your search. In other words Google does not understand "people language." You may not be putting in the exact key words you need to get the results you are looking for. The ChaCha guide may be able to put a new spin on it, and come up with additional information. If you don't like the results you received, try again! You will probably get a different guide, and yet another perspective. Be sure you rate your guide accordingly. You can rate the guide as soon as he or she leaves the system, and your results will still be there for you to browse through as long as you leave your browser window open.

You can also type your own name, or pen name into ChaCha and have your guide search for Associated Content articles with your name on them. How fun is that? The bonus is your articles will then be attached to a search in ChaCha with your name as the key word. This extra link can't hurt in the world of search engines. You can then tell your friends and family to search for your name, and the same results will pop up for them, with or without a guide.

ChaCha is also a great way to get more information on the art of writing. If you are looking for information on key word density, or how to conduct an interview, type it in. Hit search with guide and clarify your search for specialized results pertaining to your unique situation.

Go ahead give it a try and report your results back here. Let others here at Associated Content know if you found ChaCha's guides helpful, or if searching on your own was more effective, and time efficient.