Interesting article from CNN Money about Anna Patterson’s group of ex-Google employees and their launch of a competing search engine called Cuil (pronounced “cool”).
Here are the key points:
- Cuil claims to index 120 billion web pages (about 3x more than Google).
- Cuil does not try to replicate Google’s algorithm, but takes a deep dive into the content of each site. (Key to any competitive success is not to replicate what Google does.)
- Instead of a vertical stack of results like most other search engines, Cuil provides sometimes less/sometimes more than 10 results on each page in a more visually-appealing format (stated “more magazine-like” in the article).
It’s clear that Cuil is still working out the bugs, but I see the promise. Google allows only two results from one particular domain. In doing the check on “Junta42″, seven of the 10 search results came from the Junta42.com domain. I’m not sure at this point whether this is better or worse for the user. It will all depend on what is being searched.
The additional copy and pictures is helpful, but some of the images didn’t correspond with the right abstract (which is curious at best).
If Cuil gains a following, it may prove the need for even more robust content on one or multiple websites, since Cuil focuses on the “deep content dive” more than ranking and link building. Do I smell opportunity?
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4 Comments
Hi Joe,
I have to say that I theoretically like the display of Cuil search results, but I have to question the graphics they associate with the posts. For example, if I search for myself, my blog listing has the cover of a book on my booklist next to an unrelated description of a post.
And, when I move on to next pages, they are repeating listings I’ve already seen.
2 searches I entered on the internal page search box gave me a no results page, but when I went back to the homepage and searched, I got pages of results.
I’m thinking they have a few bugs to work out yet…
But it is a cuil way to view search results. I’ll keep trying.
Thanks for the post.
Ardath
Hi Ardath…my take was the same as yours. I see the potential, but was alarmed by some of the images. One of my domains had American Express Custom Solutions next to it. Strange indeed!
Hi Joe,
Its an interesting one. I have rattled a lot of cages in UK about Cuil’s ability to oust Google. Most web marketers are very comfortable with Google so anything new is not welcome. Besides, we are trying to find similar search results in CUIL as we do in G or Yahoo or MSN. Thats not the case! So lets hope CUIL fullfills the promise!
Hi Hersh…that’s a big promise to fill. Not sure going head to head with Google was wise, but who am I to say. If it’s a useful service (regardless of Google), it should find a home.