Will ChaCha Stomp on Google Search?
by GeekMom on April 26, 2008
I heard about this local company on the evening news last week, and I thought I'd mention it. It's called
ChaCha®, and the Carmel, Indiana-based online search service is winning awards and fans while it's still in beta.
How does it work? Unlike the big G, which uses computers to perform searches, ChaCha uses real people. Users can call (1-800-2CHA-CHA) to voice their questions, or text queries (242242 or CHACHA), for free from just about any cell phone. You can even use
ChaCha on Twitter (@chacha).
Each question is routed to the appropriate ChaCha Guide, depending on the subject, and answers are returned within minutes. There are over 30,000 active guides throughout the United States, with hundreds online at any given time, and the service is available 24x7.
This sounds pretty cool, and it's backed by some big investors. I can see ChaCha becoming a huge mobile app, once word gets around! It's more interactive than Google, accessible without a browser, and seems especially suited to the Twitter/text generation of on-the-go users. Of course, the human touch will also appeal to people who are weary or leery of computerized services, and just want to connect with a real person!
Have you tried ChaCha? What do you think?
{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
What about people who don’t live in the United States? Does it make sense any more to come up with an idea that ignores the rest of the world?
Sour Grapess last blog post..Conversation
@Sour Grapes: I’m not sure, but it seems like people anywhere could use ChaCha via Twitter. Perhaps ChaCha will expand to include additional service areas in the future. It is still in beta, after all.
I heard about this last year. But I though it had a different name then. The guy had a hard time getting advertisers.
@SourvGrapes - It’s hard being a US based startup with employees in other countries. The taxes alone would be nightmare. Any one can use the service, he only has live online “guides” in the US. So, all the employees are US based searchers from all over the globe.
Does it make sense any more to come up with an idea that ignores the rest of the world?
Well, sometime it does. Such as if you don’t have the resource to translate all of your material or a multi-lingual support staff. Or have no idea how to market or promote your idea in that country. What about the legalities of operating in another country. I would always choose to start small and expand as need or ability arises.
BadEvans last blog post..Obama, I’m Not In Favor of Gay Marriage
I had not heard of this yet. Sounds like it could be interesting for those searches that you want very specific in depth information for. I’d certainly be willing to give it a try.
Shelias last blog post..Party Over Here! Attend And Win!
Great concept for when you on the go. I’m going to try it by way of Twitter to test it out.
Martys last blog post..Free Computer Virus Protection
@SourGrapes: I’ve heard from a fellow user in the UK that he’s having a great time using @chacha on Twitter.
Hello GeekMom! Thanks for mentioning us in your blog, and we’re so happy to see some local’s taking notice. I noticed you said we were ‘local’ to you, and I wanted to let you know that ChaCha is getting ready to launch a Brand Ambassador Program and we’re starting right here in our backyard. I’ll be running the program, so please email me if you’d be interested in hearing more about it!
Sincerely,
Danielle McDowell
Marketing Manager
http://www.chacha.com
Danielle Ms last blog post..1
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