Has Google finally got an alternative with Blekko!

Alright the heading is rather dramatic, but what we’ve got here seems worth it.

Blekko is a new search engine launched on 8th November 2010, which is attempting at renewing your regular search quest. Rich Skrenta, of the Newhoo fame (now Netscape’s Open Directory Project), has been working on this concept search engine since 2007. It works by categorizing the search words using slash tags (‘/’). These tags are used to arrive at more specific results. This reduces the spam and irrelevant results.

How does Blekko search?

Blekko has introduced the ‘vertical search’ concept which allows you to dig deeper into a topic. Google is based on a ‘horizontal search’ concept which makes your search wider than deeper.

When you search for a query on Google, lets say ‘Paris’ you arrive at a page filled with information about the French capital, followed by few suggestions for Paris Hilton, shopping, tourism, etc.

Try the same on Blekko, this time with a slash tag “/people”, this limits your results to people named Paris. Further ‘/movies’ to arrive at results with people named Paris in movies.  This method of slash tags reduces the irrelevant content which may have a similar name but is not what you are looking for.

Features of Blekko:

• Has predefined slash tags which makes it easier to categorize.
• Allows you to filter out any search result by marking it as spam with a single click. This ensures that particular site will never turn up in your results again.
• Allows you to create and save your own slash tags after creating an account.
• You can filter out adult content using a slash tag called /noporn. Ensures your results are filtered against pornographic or adults only content.
• Does not distract you with unwanted Ads and sponsored links.

Here is a video that will give you a good idea of how Blekko works!

Well, I am impressed with Blekko though I doubt it will ever replace Google. Have you checked out Blekko? Let me know what you guys think of Blekko through your comments.

Link: Blekko