My ideas on Ask.com

I shared some of these viewpoints with Ask last night, but it wouldn’t hurt to air them elsewhere. Techdirt just ripped up the new Ask.com interface and algorithm.

I disagree with them on one point but completely agree on another, more relevant point.

Disagree:
Ask does have the better search engine in some cases. Case in point, SMX Advanced Penalty Box discussion. Someone brought up the fact that someone is spamming .edus for Buy Viagra. Try that search in Google, Yahoo, MSN, and Ask.

Yahoo and Google have the same results, .edu is in the top 3. Then check out MSN – No .edus but not really relevant either (Danny said it NOT me). Finally check out Ask. Not bad huh?

Agree:
Techdirt noted that even if Ask’s engine is better, who is going to know? I had a discussion at lunch with someone that brought up that campaign Ask launched recently. Horrible. And then even here, I am begging them for more information. I love the new site, I think there can be a lot learned there. But the marketing just isn’t there. The word of mouth isn’t there.

Want to know how Google did it? A good engine and great word of mouth. Use the SEM and webmaster community to get the word out. Treat us like Google treats us, as partners. Then we will speak your praises. I got that last night, hence the praising. But it needs to happen on an industry level.

Tell us Ask. Tell us all about you and why we need you. Because right now, we don’t know.