A Philadelphia startup wants to change the way we use online search engines by giving results generated by experts–human experts.
Snirch.com is still in early, alpha-stage testing but in recent weeks has begun to market its unique search engine and bring on content contributors to research and create search engine results.
“When done right, we feel that expert-created results can be more useful, comprehensive and compelling than algorithmic results,” says Snirch co-founder Mike Ross. “We’re developing a more useful search.”
Snirch is also ready to spread the wealth: expert contributors write relevant search engine result pages for common or important keyword searches and then split the advertising revenue with Snirch. The search advertising market, which in 2007 exceeded $12 billion in North America alone, has huge potential, and the firm’s revenue-sharing model provides cash incentive to contributors.
“We ultimately see us as having hundreds of thousands of contributors,” says Ross, although currently the company, which is part of Wharton School’s Venture Initiation Program, allows content creation on an invite-only basis.
Ross, an independent marketing consultant who once owned an offshore programming firm in Bulgaria, says his company is looking to partner with bloggers, brands, media companies and individuals.
“I like the search space, it has amazing exit potential. Google does a great job across the board, but there is the potential to improve it on some level,” says Ross.
Source: Mike Ross, Snirch.com
Writer: John Davidson
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