ChaCha, Reforming the Way We Search

All too often, when we try to find information on the web we have to sift through useless results to find the page we were actually looking to find. Consider this method a thing of the past. The new ChaCha search engine looks to eliminate ineffective searching through its mix of technology and search guides.

Indiana entrepreneur Scott Jones launched ChaCha in early September. Jones is not new to the idea of reforming technology. In the 1980s, his reinvention of voice-mail systems led to an entire new form of the service and the patents he owns are used in the devices more than 600 million people now use. His solution to the problem of ineffective searching: human involvement.

Even though the idea of using humans to help with searches has been used on sites such as Ask.com and Yahoo! Answers, ChaCha has several unique differences. ChaCha utilizes paid ChaCha guides to help searchers find just what they're looking for. Many other sites over little incentive and therefore get little in return from their workers. Unlike other sites offering human assistance, ChaCha is a live service and results are found and returned real time.

Guides start earning $5 per hour of active searching but can make double that by reaching a higher level. Guides specialize in any topic they choose and, following training, are qualified to help others find information. Guides are trained in just about any keyword you could think to search and can even help you plan a trip or perhaps help you with your homework.

ChaCha marks a new point for online freelancers who can now start getting paid for their online work. ChaCha is an advertising-driven service and charges users absolutely nothing to search. The next time you're looking for information give ChaCha a try and see the human element in action.