Which search do you really like best?
By Nicole Kobie in Editorial
Posted in Uncategorized on
Reading Lifehacker at lunch today, I came across a blind search test. Basically, you type a search term into the box here, and it runs that across Bing, Yahoo and Google.
It the displays the results without any of the branding or formatting — you just get the results, and that’s it. And then it makes you pick which you prefer.
Searching for rather generic words — “ponies” was my first try, because I’m weird like that — brings up pretty generic results, suggesting some similarities across the big three. Intriguingly, for that I chose Yahoo as my favourite, despite never really ever using that search engine. Google came up with a commerical toy site, while both Bing and Yahoo produced Wikipedia results as their top choices.
For my second try, I searched for a more specific result — my own name (which is pretty uncommon.) This time, Bing and Yahoo came up the Facebook page of an American Nicole Kobie, as well as a student paper I haven’t worked at for about six years, and a CV site I haven’t updated in about three. Google, on the other hand, actually managed to find me, where I am now.
So that really very unscientific comparison suggests Google has a broader focus and handles time a bit better, but that said, the site uses the American versions of Yahoo and Bing — so you could say they offer a better localised service.
Either way, while the site may or may not change your mind about your current search favourite, it is a pretty useful tool for searching as it gathers all the results onto one page. Why pick a favourite when you can use all three at once?
Rated: 60% (2 votes)
Loading ...Pingback by - August 17, 2009 on 12:43 pm
[…] now we’re back to showcase the five most popular tools you use to find yourself some new digs. Which search do you really like best? - itpro.co.uk 08/17/2009 Reading Lifehacker at lunch today, I came across a blind search test . […]
Comment by Russell - August 17, 2009 on 12:49 pm
I think part of the search engine is the layout. I don’t think a blind test truly gives a fair view of the results. What about ad placement? How about the small window that appears on the side of the result in bing? What about the layout of pictures, videos, maps, and the like? I use Bing all the time, even on my Google Phone. Which I’m on now. I use what works for me and Bing works very well thank you.
Comment by Nate McG - August 20, 2009 on 9:01 pm
I like to say I “Spaced It” I us Infospace.com - you get Bing, Google, Ask and Yahoo results and Twitter.
Comment by - October 31, 2009 on 9:53 am
For searching i think the google is the best search engine i have ever seen . Yahoo is also good but google is far better than all other. Thanks
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