ChaCha human-powered natural language SMS search
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ChaCha.com, a human-powered search engine recently extended it’s service to mobile phones, where you can type your questions and sms it to 242242 (spells chacha on mobile keypad) and one of the ChaCha’s paid human guide will respond to your query with relevant links and maps unlike an automated machine, computer or robot generated answer.
Wait, this service is currently in beta version and is available only in US. You might be thinking, why the hell am I talking about it on WATBlog? Because, if they launch this service in India, it can be quite popular for the following reasons:-
- ChaCha in Hindi i.e. national language of India, means “paternal uncle“.
- Interestingly, Chacha Chaudhary is a popular comic book character in India and ChaCha SMS search will connect with Indian audience as the book states “Chacha Coudhary’s brain works faster than a computer” and “He has solution to all problems“.
The brains behind ChaCha.com are Scott Jones, known for inventing voice mail when he was just 25 and Brad Bostic founder of Bostech Corporation. Currently, ChaCha has about 60 employees at its Carmel headquarters along with two support sites in India. To attract interest, ChaCha will offer SMS search service free trial for next few months but, eventually has plans to monetize it.
Let’s see how much time it takes to launch in India and what response it gets from Indian audience. Till then, you can check out review on various local search engines.
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this system is already there in India.
type GYANI send to 56677. you will receive Human Driven answers.
I am not quite sure about this whole human-driven search. I mean, after getting a request, they also will be searching using some search engines rite? Then its like just involving a human layer in between, not sure about the advantages as this can inversely effect the performance.
Or is it just “search on the go”?
A little light on this will surely help everyone.
@bala,
I tried that GYANI to 56677.. got the query ID.. and then a blank SMS later on…
@chris,
you are right, these human search engines make the search a 3-tier architecture… where the middle man act as a filter… but yes of course, there can be a doubt on relevance and neutrality of results…!!