Yahoo Search Direct

Today Yahoo launched Search Direct in response to Google Instant Search. It is quite similar to Google’s search engine with some small details change.

When you go to search.yahoo.com or search.yahoo.ie, the first thing you see is the usual search bar with the image and video tabs above. Nothing special so far apart from one problem. Sorry mr Yahoo but again you managed to disappoint me. When clicking on the demo (on the US version), I got the same and usual response I get whenever I try to watch a video on your news section: “Sorry but this video is no longer available”. Hum that’s not a good start if you plan on promoting your NEW product with this video…

Ok let’s pretend this didn’t happen. Type a search query, whatever comes to your mind. Oh look, not only it gives you suggestions but it also offers a yahoo news feed section related to your query. That’s a nice improvement from Google. But again I got some sort of disappointment. If I type “car”, the news feed is related to Cartoon Network. Not quite related to what I’m looking for. You almost got it right mr Yahoo…

Ok mr Yahoo, here comes your third and last chance to convince me. I dare to click on “search”. The search results page is quite similar to Google’s page except that searches related to your query are placed on top of the page and there is a column on the left offering quick apps (don’t get too excited, only a very small number of apps is available). But I’d say not too bad, the idea is there! Some of these apps allow users to make notes. On the UK and Irish search results page, there is a Search Pad app allowing you to save searches and you can select the Safe Search option for more security.

You can also see trending and related searches like with Google. The results won’t give you an overview of the sites when hoovering the mouse over the links but some results do show pictures (very few though).

So to sum up this post, I’d say that Yahoo is not quite yet the sharpest knife in the drawer but their search engine adds something fresh with these new quick apps. Cheer up mr Yahoo, you’re slowly getting there!