Cuil – A Review | Kate Morris

Cuil – said “cool.” Nope. I want to say “coolie.” Sphinn worked for me, but not this one. Though there are still people that mispronounce Sphinn, so whatever. It’s the engine just released from former Googlers. Last night it was all over Twitter, so I thought I’d check it out this morning, especially after the Austin American Statesman talked about it too.

First searches: I don’t like the picture thing and the layout. Maybe it’s like Facebook (I personally like the new layout), sometimes it’s just something to get used to.

I think this is too simple for the core searchers to use. Maybe it’s more for the “normal” person … but I don’t think you are going to get far by ignoring the SEM world. We are the ones that make recommendations. While we are finiky, Google knows how this works. Cuil founders, you worked there, you should know that. Give us ways to check things and test things. You give us nothing right now.

On the upside for them, there is a possibility that this will change everything. The title tags I have now look really stupid on this layout and the mass of text below is weird. I now want to know more about where they are pulling info from and how to edit it. If this takes off, SEO will change yet again. It makes results change and we will have to grow to fit it.

For right now, am I worried? Nope. So far from what I’ve seen on twitter, no one else is impressed either.

Final thought: If you want to go after the top search engine, don’t announce it that way. Google didn’t get to the top by releasing as the “next Yahoo.” Be your own damn engine. Do something remarkable and leave it up to the world to decide.

Search #1: “auto refinance”

Reasoning: I know the space VERY well, and wanted to see how things showed up.
Outcome: The “rankings” are about right … but the pictures throw me off. Some have pictures some don’t. But good so far (read my company shows first).

Search #2: “kate morris”

Reasoning: My name. Again, I know these results.
Outcome: How is my website, katemorris.com, while not updated, third. And then there is a picture of grapes? WTF? That appears no where on my site. It’s old, but not that ripe! Then there is my SEOmoz profile and old picture. I changed that like a month ago. Old results guys.

Search #3: “austin sem”

Resoning: Checking for logos
Outcome: Pathetic. The largest agency in Austin is listed 5th, with another companies logo. FAIL.

Search #4: “seomoz”

Reasoning: Lots to cover here … just interested.
Outcome: Still no company logo. Some of the pictures are right (about 60% of the time they are), but the most fascinating thing is the “Explore by Category” Box. Rand … you got “Black_hat_seo” as a category. Teehee.

Search #5: “austin pizza”

Reasoning: Local search
Outcome: Nope. This is bad. And the Category only gives national chains. Austin doesn’t work this way people. Maybe small towns, but Austin Pizza, Flying Tomato, and Mangia would be pissed here.