What is Search

Search, in its most simplistic form can be defined as the "process by which a person actively obtains information by providing clues (usually words or short phrases) as to their desires, which are deciphered by a computer program that returns links to its best guess as to what most accurately matches the information the person thinks he needs or wants."

Currently, the most commonly thought of form of search is through search engine advertising on sites like Google, Yahoo, Bing.com (MSN), Ask, etc. However, sometimes the "clues" provided lay within the content (there are many views to this ) that the user views. We are also going down the avenues of behavioral and social search - taking into account input from users with similar searches, others with whom the user interacts and the users recent history of their online actions, to determine their desires. With every iteration of "search", we take one step further from clarity of intent.

Really, the most effective search programs are those where the marketer understands the target audience and can be present at key points in the decision making process. If it is contextual advertising, behavioral or pure search, there are many ways to talk to the audience.

Search Engine Marketing (SEM) is the utilization of these conduits to promote your site, product or service. It includes paid search and organic (SEO - where your site is picked up (indexed) by the search engines and presented to the user based on the relevancy to the keywords as assigned by the engine).

What is search | Creating Search | About | Contact
Home