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Info.com, the New Web Search Alternative, Brings Together the Best Search Technologies into One Site
Source: Yahoo Finance
Oct 19, 2004
Info.com Offers Users Powerful Search Capabilities, Including Accessing Search Engine's Results from the Address Bar
CHICAGO, Oct. 19 PRNewswire -- Info.com, a search platform that pulls together the most relevant results from the 14 leading search engines, today launched its official site at http://www.info.com . Info.com features a one- stop site of information sources, including web search, news, comparative shopping, product reviews, pictures and more.
"There are significant differences between the top results displayed by popular search engines," said Stephen Scarr, CEO of Info.com. "Despite general satisfaction among search engine users, most would be surprised to know that they are not getting the most relevant web results from a single search engine. Info.com allows users to search the web, look for their preferred news, compare products and shop while knowing that they are getting the right information the first time."
Better, Faster Information
A site-to-site comparison on Thumbshots.com ( http://ranking.thumbshots.com ) confirms that even the leading search engines do not consistently display the same information, leading to a search result overlap of the top 100 results of approximately 30 percent. By combining search results from all major search sources, Info.com offers compelling advantages to Internet users, which creates a unique and enhanced online search experience.
- More Relevant, Useful Results - Because search engines assess
different relevancy to information, a user can never receive the same
set of results from different search sources. Info.com overcomes this
limitation by aggregating the top results from the 14 most popular
search engines and pay-per-click directories, a method commonly known
as meta-search.
- Accessing More of the Web - The size and nature of each search
engine's database is hindered by the fact that its web crawlers only
index a percentage of the total web pages available, and because they
update from the Web at different times throughout the month. By
pulling and displaying information from the main search engines,
Info.com's results are always drawn from several indexes, therefore
providing Info.com users a larger and more current database than any
one search engine index.
Info.com offers consumer-friendly search tools that help connect Web users with the information they want. These features include:
- Whatever.You.Want.Info.com - Many Internet users who go through their
browser's address bar to access information end up guessing the URL of
the site they are looking for. Info.com extends this intuitive search
method by transforming the address bar on any web browser into a
direct Info.com search toolbar. Users simply enter
'whatever.you.want.info.com' into the address box to quickly access
results for whatever they are searching, and eliminate the task of
going to irrelevant sites or downloading third-party toolbars. For
example, typing jeep.info.com or jeep.cars.info.com into the address
bar will automatically lead one to the meta result page on Info.com
for Jeeps.
- Relevant Search Topics and Categories - After entering search queries,
Info.com users are also shown a listing of highly-used phrases and
categories that are similar to their initial search query. This is
especially helpful for researchers and Internet novices who are
looking for information on a specific subject or industry.
One-Stop Information Source
Info.com acts as a gateway for users so they do not need to go to multiple sites for news, shopping, searches and other Web activities. An added benefit are the prominently displayed tabs on Info.com, which allows searchers to quickly access various fields of information on a single search subject without having to re-enter their search. Info.com's additional information sources also go beyond traditional meta-search offerings. In addition to Yellow and White pages, weather, pictures and maps, other features include:
- Comparative Shopping - In response to an increase in consumer behavior
to research before buying online or offline, Info.com has partnered
with Shopping.com, a leading online comparison shopping service, which
assists Info.com users to make informed purchase decisions by enabling
them to find the items they are looking for, compare and review
products, prices and stores and buy from among thousands of online
merchants.
- Local to International News - Info.com's news service harnesses the
Internet's largest news site by integrating feeds from Topix.net,
which enables Info.com users to continuously monitor breaking news
from more than 7,000 sources and over 150,000 categories of news.
Info.com's users are also able to access local news by typing in their
zip code or city/town.
- Largest Source of Paid-Listings - By aggregating the advertisers of
all major search engines, Info.com offers more sponsored listings
(approximately 250,000) -- than any single source for Internet
searches.
- Auctions by eBay - Info.com is planning to enhance its online shopping
experience by connecting users with live search results from eBay's
global auction platform.
About Info.com
Info.com is a search platform that pulls together the best of the web into one site. From a single search query, Info.com provides results from 14 leading search engines and pay-per-click directories. Info.com is also partnered with other search providers to include comparative shopping and product review, a broad selection of news, pictures and images, White and Yellow Page directories, weather, maps and directions. The company is headquartered in Chicago and also has an office in London. For more information visit http://www.info.com/about .
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