As if software applications for the web are not abounding already, yet another search engine is planning to join the race for more users and being the preferred site of more people. This may be the case for Blekko, another new search engine. The site claims to eliminate the drag of having to use the address bar instead of the search bar or search engine for typing URLs. This search engine uses the power of slashtags, so that the user can use the search engine test box not just to conduct sophisticated searches but also refine their searches in a convenient manner. Blekko is currently in Beta version, but from the looks of it, it may be promising.
What to expect from Blekko
The Blekko site promises users more efficient and less spammy search results. According to the site itself, it aims to do that by:
1) Marking verticals with the user’s favorite sites
2) Doing searching that cannot be done with keywords
3) Eliminating spam through categories that are heavily spammed
4) Allowing access to the most recent material and web data
5) Directing access to 3rd party sites, much like pressing the “I’m Felling Lucky” button in Google all the time
Thus, Blekko promises great features while making web information searching very customizable. A number of test users have reported that the sorting and prioritization syntax built-in from their “slashtags” actually produce good search results, as the company prides itself with. As the slashtags are customizable and social, it becomes very cool, especially for heavy search engine users.
From the last statement, should it be derived that Blekko can really just be appreciated by the geek-orati, or those who want the most advanced features and have the patience and learning curve to actually go through the process?
Blekko as a cool search engine
As of the moment, Google has established itself as a fine product, at least in normal user standards, so why bother going through custom hash tag creation? Even with the function of allowing users to hook Blekko into their Facebook and Twitter accounts, telling everyone about hash tags one has created is not really a priority for everyday users.
Thus, it could be said that Blekko would not really be something that would threaten search giant Google, although the latter could take note of Blekko’s rather fine features and maybe adapt them into their own systems.