Yahoo testing new query refinement tools
July 31, 2007 | Internet Marketing
Yahoo has begun testing Search Assist, a new search refinement that could have an impact on search marketers for its ability to prevent typos and guide searchers toward a specific query.
Search Assist refines queries by providing related topics as searchers type to assist them in finding the right search term that will deliver the most relevant information. A recent Harris Interactive poll of online users commissioned by Yahoo showed that Web search users on average needed between 3 and 4 searches to find what they needed. Search Assist is intended to cut down on that number by presenting users with more refined queries and topics early in the search process.
Most of the major search engines have offered post-search suggestions for related searches for years. Google Suggest was the first to offer this type-ahead, pre-search query refinement in its Labs beginning in December 2004. Ask.com added a pre-search query refinement feature in June with the launch of Ask3D.
ith Search Assist, Yahoo takes that idea a step further by offering related topics as well as specific suggested queries as searchers type. It’s also designed to stay out of the way when users don’t need it, and will only engage when users pause in the middle of typing a query.
Get the full story at SearchEngineWatch
Related Articles
Local shoppers look online first
19 Mar, 2010 | Internet Marketing
Facebook visits surpass Google, but what does it really mean?
19 Mar, 2010 | Internet Marketing
Facebook ousts Google in US popularity
18 Mar, 2010 | Internet Marketing
Facebook will rule the Web during the next decade
18 Mar, 2010 | Internet Marketing
5 tools to improve your email marketing
17 Mar, 2010 | Internet Marketing
9 tips for location-based marketing
16 Mar, 2010 | Internet Marketing
Google makes its local shopping move
16 Mar, 2010 | Internet Marketing
Google poised to close China site
15 Mar, 2010 | Internet Marketing
China’s Internet obsession
15 Mar, 2010 | Online Travel
Bing advancing slightly in search rankings
12 Mar, 2010 | Internet Marketing
Most Popular Articles
Does your hotel really need a social media strategy?
11 Mar, 2010 | Hospitality Industry
How TripAdvisor engages mass influencers
12 Mar, 2010 | Online Travel
6 ways to drive more online travel sales in 2010
11 Mar, 2010 | Online Travel
Top ten best practices for today’s online hotel marketer
17 Mar, 2010 | Hospitality Industry
Why should I open your e-mail?
09 Mar, 2010 | Internet Marketing
The need for a more holistic approach to revenue management
10 Mar, 2010 | Hospitality Industry
How have Web 2.0 & social media shaped online hotel marketing?
16 Mar, 2010 | Hospitality Industry
Google Marketplace drives corporate travel apps
15 Mar, 2010 | Online Travel
Five creative strategies for hotels to attract new repeat guests
17 Mar, 2010 | Hospitality Industry
Starwood runs loyalty pilot program that targets rivals’ customers
15 Mar, 2010 | Hospitality Industry
Economic Downturn
Recovery over a year away, say European hotel executives
16 Mar, 2010 | Hospitality Industry
China expected to stimulate world travel economy in 2010
16 Mar, 2010 | Online Travel
IATA sees brighter 2010 outlook
15 Mar, 2010 | Online Travel
Virgin America’s guide to not screwing up customer service
12 Mar, 2010 | Internet Marketing
UK travelers plan to take multiple trips abroad in 2010
09 Mar, 2010 | Online Travel
Un-stoppable growth in OTA bookings, GDS still lacking behind
05 Mar, 2010 | Online Travel
Global hotel prices dropped beyond 2004 levels during 2009
02 Mar, 2010 | Hospitality Industry
Things are looking up for U.S. airlines
02 Mar, 2010 | Online Travel
Asia leads travel industry’s recovery
26 Feb, 2010 | Online Travel
Meeting buyers see budget cutbacks ease
25 Feb, 2010 | Hospitality Industry
Travel companies grapple with “new normal”
23 Feb, 2010 | Online Travel
Europe likely to see recovery, not growth, says STR
22 Feb, 2010 | Hospitality Industry
Hogg Robinson Group sees early signs of recovery
22 Feb, 2010 | Online Travel
US Travel growth expected in 2010
18 Feb, 2010 | Online Travel
IHG’s profit drops 18%, as hotel rates continue to fall
16 Feb, 2010 | Hospitality Industry












