Search Engine ChaCha
Posted by Pixelhead
ChaCha is a new type of search service that provides guided search through the use of real live human beings and chat software. The second post that I am aware of by TechCrunch, on the topic of ChaCha, ChaCha: 90% Pranksters, seemed to give the new search engine service a bit of a break since an interview with the CEO of ChaCha had the kabosh(love this word) put on it, when the interviewer came down with the flu. In the first post, A Place For Lonely Searchers, Michael Arrington, suggests that for some entertaining search fun, surfers can use the ChaCha guides for a bit of chat entertainment. They must have changed their SOP, because the three guides I chatted with while doing a search for “Hungarian Climate Maps” for my sons school report, were quick to disconnect me once they felt my query was satisfied.
In my opinion, I think ChaCha is a great tool for students, who may not need all of the freedom that the Internet has to offer. The guides are able to filter out sites that are not related to the query. As the guide I talked to said, it is not a net nanny, but it can help to reduce the inappropriate content that youngsters may come across while using Google or one of the other non guided search engines.
Below is the text of my Chat converstations with several ChaCha guides during the Hungary Climate Map search.
Status: Connecting …
Status: Looking for a guide …
Status: Connected to guide: michelle(72856)
michelle(72856): Welcome to ChaCha!
You: hello
michelle(72856): Hello
You: looking for a climate map of hungary
michelle(72856): Okay let me see what I can find you .
michelle(72856): Take look at the first stie is that what your looking for?
You: were am I looking?
michelle(72856): the link on the rt side
You: in the middle?
You: the right side bar is a bunch of adds
michelle(72856): one moment please my application is meesing up
michelle(72856): I dont think it sent
michelle(72856): okay it should be there now
You: the first is a political map, not climate…will check the second
You: The second has some groovy charts, but no climate maps
michelle(72856): Yeah I am not finding it then, I will transfer you to another guide that might be able to help you out, thanks have a great day…
Transfer: You are being transfered to another guide who can help you search even better!
Status: Looking for a guide …
Status: Connected to guide: Brandon(6045)
Brandon(6045): Welcome to ChaCha!
Brandon(6045): let me see what I can find for you!
You: ok
Brandon(6045): What are you looking for on the map?
You: just a climate map for Hungary
You: for a school report
Brandon(6045): okay I am still working on it for you.
You: thanks
Brandon(6045): I am really not finding any maps that show climate… just information about it. Not like the United states where they break it down by zones
Brandon(6045): That last result I posted is probably going to be the best one for you
Brandon(6045): Are these results sufficient?
You: These should be great thanks
You: one question
Brandon(6045): sure
You: this is my first time using chacha
Brandon(6045): k
You: If a minor were to use this site, would and they asked for
You: adult type sites, are these filtered out?
Brandon(6045): Yes they are… And even if some slip through and make it to a guide.. we can stop the search from continuing and classify the search topic as adult
You: so you do ask if the person is over 18?
Brandon(6045): We are not net nanny though, parents have a responsibilty to monitor minors while on the net as well
You: yes, one of my beliefs as well
Brandon(6045): So we don’t as we are strictly prohibited against providing said results
You: thats great
Brandon(6045): Things happen though… people responsible are terminated
You: beauteous
You: and where are you located
Brandon(6045): Cha Cha tries to make this environment as professional and scholastic as possible
You: is there an actual facility
Brandon(6045): I am located in my home 
You: nice
Brandon(6045): we are all independent contractors using a central application
You: can any one be a guide
Brandon(6045): which filters out stuff
Brandon(6045): US citizens can. But that has to be another search as we need to classify it
Brandon(6045): as soon as you rate me (after I end the session) just simply type in the guide comment at the top of your page.
You: so when I click Im done
You: I will be able to rate you?
Brandon(6045): have a great day and good luck on your report!
Brandon(6045): yep either I close our you…
You: thanks
Brandon(6045): or
You: sweet
Brandon(6045): Please RATE ME. Thanks for using ChaCha.
Status: Session ended
Here are the results from the search:
The first set of results was the result of the above conversations. The second set is from a third guide, whose conversation I did not save.
1. Geography and Map of Hungary
Geography and Map of Hungary
http://geography.about.com/library/cia/blchungary.htm
2. Hungary : geography, population cities, map, flag, gdp gnp economy, tourism travel, climate
Hungary : geography, population cities, map, flag, gdp gnp economy, tourism travel, climate
http://www.studentsoftheworld.info/country_information.php?Pays=HUN
3. CIA - The World Factbook — Hungary
Climate:temperate; cold, cloudy, humid winters; warm summers
https://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/print/hu.html
4. Hungary: Definition and Much More from Answers.com
Hungary has a continental climate, with cold, cloudy, humid winters and warm to hot summers.
http://www.answers.com/topic/hungary#copyright
5. World Climae Maps - Maps, Economy, Geography, Climate, Natural Resources, Current Issues, International Agreements, Population, Social Statistics, Political System
World Climae Maps - Maps, Economy, Geography, Climate, Natural Resources, Current Issues, International Agreements, Population, Social Statistics, Political System
http://www.allcountries.org/maps/world_climate_maps.html
6. Done
Guide Comment: A closer look at climate map.
http://www.theodora.com/maps/new9/world_climate_map-large.jpg
1. World Climae Maps - Maps, Economy, Geography, Climate, Natural Resources, Current Issues, International Agreements, Population, Social Statistics, Political System Open ‘World Climae Maps - Maps, Economy, Geography, Climate, Natural Resources, Current Issues, International Agreements, Population, Social Statistics, Political System’ in a new window
World Climae Maps - Maps, Economy, Geography, Climate, Natural Resources, Current Issues, International Agreements, Population, Social Statistics, Political System
http://www.allcountries.org/maps/world_climate_maps.html
2. Hungary | Climate, Temperature, Rainfall, Humidity Open ‘Hungary | Climate, Temperature, Rainfall, Humidity’ in a new window
There are four seasons, with a very warm summer from June to August. Spring and autumn are mild, while winters are very cold
http://www.worldtravelguide.net/country/116/climate/Europe/Hungary.html
3. EarthTrends: Country Profiles - Climate and Atmosphere Open ‘EarthTrends: Country Profiles - Climate and Atmosphere’ in a new window
Hungary
http://earthtrends.wri.org/country_profiles/index.php?theme=3
4. World Climae Maps - Maps, Economy, Geography, Climate, Natural Resources, Current Issues, International Agreements, Population, Social Statistics, Political System Open ‘World Climae Maps - Maps, Economy, Geography, Climate, Natural Resources, Current Issues, International Agreements, Population, Social Statistics, Political System’ in a new window
World Climae Maps - Maps, Economy, Geography, Climate, Natural Resources, Current Issues, International Agreements, Population, Social Statistics, Political System
http://www.allcountries.org/maps/world_climate_maps.html
5. hungary map and information page Open ‘hungary map and information page’ in a new window
hungary map and information page
http://www.worldatlas.com/webimage/countrys/europe/hu.htm
Internet Marketing and ChaCha
I am not sure what effects ChaCha will have upon our Internet Searching habits, or am I able to give any advice to anyone who may want to manipulate ChaCha for the sake of showing up better in their SERP’s. Probably the best advice would be to make sure you have a quality site, with lots of good content or link bait that will give the guides a reason to suggest your site in their recommendations to their site searchers. I also noticed that ChaCha does have advertising options available as well as a ChaCha toolbar for Mozilla.
ChaCha effect
In summary, I believe the idea of human guided search(not bot) is a great thing which can not be replicated by any search engine algorithm. For students I will recommend that they give it a try. For parents and teachers, I will recommend that they steer their children or students to ChaCha, because it is another way to ensure that children do not come across offensive content while conducting research for school projects. And as TechCrunch suggested, if you are a bit lonely, perhaps give it a try for a little guided search interaction.
Written by Pixelhead on March 5th, 2007 with
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