Yahoo is all set to launch a brand new search feature, later this week, which is hoped will increase Yahoo’s share of the search engine marketplace. But will the new feature truly challenge Google and increase Yahoo’s active user numbers?

Search Pad is a new cloud based smart tool which will recognise when a user is doing research using search queries from within the Yahoo interface. After three searches for related search queries a small popup will appear and ask if search pad should be taking notes. Search pad will keep a running list of all the sites you have been searching for and have selected, displaying the page title, URL and snippet information. This would be particularly useful if a user was looking to buy a product and wanted to compare prices, reviews and demos. But why is Search Pad a threat to Google?

With the massive growth of the internet and the increase in new indexed websites, search engines have been battling to offer their users more and more relevant information. This has become increasingly difficult and as a result new methods of filtering and displaying content are being investigated. Google is working on personalised search and a number of other similar features and filters. Search Pad is the first indication that Yahoo are looking to refine and improve their search engine results. Search pad itself is a useful and interesting product, but what is more important is the technology behind it and the data which is being recorded and data based. Potentially Yahoo will be able to use Search Pad data to understand search habits, improve related search results and more effectively assess keyword popularity. It is possible that like Google, Yahoo are looking at ways to offer their users personalised search results based on their users specific search habits and demographics. This would potentially dramatically improve the quality of Yahoo’s results.

This is an important first step in Yahoo’s ongoing development and it will be very interesting to see how Yahoo plans to move forward.

Article by Creative SEO