How to Use the ChaCha.com Search with a Guide Feature

The internet is full of answers, but with so many answers come even more questions. From obscure software drivers to auto manuals, some information can be hard to come by even in the wide world of the internet. If you can't find what you're looking for you'll want to give ChaCha.com a try. ChaCha is a new search engine that lets you get the help of a human with your search. This guide will show you how to use this feature and get the most out of your quest for knowledge with ChaCha.

You must register with ChaCha.com before you can use the search with a guide feature. This will only take a few minutes.

Wording your search

When you have completed registration, type in your search query. If you plan on using a guide be sure to word your search in a clear and concise manner. Be as specific as possible without making the search too long. When the chat session opens you will have an opportunity to better clarify your search if necessary. For example, if you're searching for wholesale lots of antique books try typing "antique books" into the search field instead of just "books". You'll have a better chance of getting connected to a guide that has more expertise in that specific category. Guides are trained on how to search, so you can word your question as if you were talking to a real human, because you are!

Communicating with your guide

Click search and you will see a live chat session box on the left. This is where you communicate with your guide. The search results will pop up in the middle of the page as the guide retrieves them. Be sure and talk to your guide about what you are looking for. Guides always try their best to get exactly what you want but they need your input in order to get the best sites. Take a look over the sites your guide has sent. If you are satisfied, press the "I'm Done" button at the bottom of the chat box. A new box will come up above the list of results that ask you to rate your guide. You can rate their service as "Bad", "Ok" or "Great".

Tips on using guided search

If at any time you're not happy with the results you've received or just want to try a new guide press the "New Guide" button at the bottom of the chat screen.

When a guide is unresponsive, it usually does not mean they are ignoring you. Technical problems can cause a guide to be unable to send results or communicate. When you feel this is happening press the "New Guide" button.

A guide is required to transfer you when they cannot locate the information you are looking for. Don't get discouraged when you get transferred. Transferring is how the guide community finds the best answers for you. A guide does not get paid when they transfer a search, so they are not trying to waste your time.

Never be shy with your guide. Live guides register with keywords to determine the type of searches they receive. Chances are that your particular guide has has a search similar to yours in the past.

Be patient. If you're an experienced searcher and you're having a hard time finding the right information on a certain topic, it might take your guide a few minutes as well. Guides are only paid for the first six minutes of any search so again, it is unlikely that they are trying to waste your time. You can always use the "New Guide" button if you feel the search is taking too long.

Rules and warnings

Guides are not allowed to search for pornographic or illegal material. This includes pirated software or music. Guides also cannot search for racist material or instructions on anything that might cause harm to humans or animals. Use your common sense. Searching for statistics on drug use is perfectly acceptable, searching for ways to manufacture crystal methamphetamine is not acceptable. If you have an emergency, call 911. Do not contact a guide for help in dangerous emergency situations. Guides are advised to tell you to call 911 and close the search.

Never use profanity or personal attacks towards your guide. They will close the session and possibly report you for abusive behavior. This can cause your ChaCha account to be banned from using search with a guide or other premium features. Guides are there to help you. Treat your guide as you would anyone else in a customer service situation.

ChaCha guides are not allowed to personally answer questions or chat idly. If you're looking for a place to get direct answers to questions or a place to chat your guide will be able to point you to the proper site for that. A guide is never being rude by not chatting with you, this is just not allowed by their management.

Frequently asked questions

Are ChaCha guides really humans or bots?

Every single ChaCha guide is a real person working from their personal computer with no exceptions. Guides often use saved chat messages to communicate for a more professional and consistent search experience.

How can I become a guide and how much does it pay?

You can become a guide by applying direct to the site here or by being invited by another guide. Guide invites are disabled by ChaCha headquarters as needed according to demand. Guides are not allowed to invite people that they don't know and it is not appropriate to ask for an invite directly in chat. Instead, try searching for sites where you can apply for a guide invite. If invites are disabled at the time then no guide can invite you. Guides are paid 8 cents per minute up to 6 minutes per search. Guides can choose to be paid through a variety of convenient options including direct deposit or personal debit card. Currently, the average guide makes anywhere from $5 to $15 per day, but earnings are totally dependent on how much you choose to work. There are no set hours.