Instead of a search box, we could have a page that although is still simple, has more than one search box, or appearing search boxes to narrow down your search.
Each search box goes in turn narrowing the range, helping you to see clearly what you really want.
This is so simple yet none of the big ones are doing it, except in their hidden "avanced search tab"
If search engines would really want to improve search, that's one thing that they could do.
As an ex Real Estate professional, I can tell you this is something we've always done in our business inside our own webpages.
Example of search engine screen and user input:
Search one:
search what?
user- "real estate"
where? >
Santa Barbara, CA
any particular type of property?>
(drop down: condo, house, etc)
Search two:
Search what?>
user- "buy second hand car new york"
any particular maker?>
(drop down: ford, mercedes, etc)
During the whole process, the user could press ANYTIME the "search button" when he is satisfied with the range of the search.
((There were some programming limitations before on doing this fast enough for the search engine to set the next question, but those limitations are quickly dissapearing and text can already be parsed out as it is being typed. I am sure Google could make it))
Also, as the user narrows down using the boxes, the ads next to them also change accordingly, so the user can click on them anytime even before pressing the search button. The advertiser gets a visit, the s. engine gets advertising money, the user goes where he wants, domainers can still sell a good domain name...all happy. (I am not so optimitic about the future of parking as it is conceived today though)
If search engines would really want to make it happen, they could have done so already, particularly Google.
I think that they have't because Google benefits from the kind of messy search query we do today, since adwords bidders will pay ridiculous money based solely on the hope that the user will find their -nearly invisible- ad compelling enough to click on it. The big losers of today are delusional adwords advertisers.
However, as Sahar said, there are still chances for smaller players to try to defeat Google. In any case, they wouldn't defeat it, they would just be bought by it in a few months.
Regards
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