Wednesday, September 06, 2006
It's an interesting model but it seems difficult/risky... Best of luck to them! (wonder who's doing their algorithmic results?)
http://blog.searchenginewatch.com/blog/060904-044533
"New Engine 'ChaCha' Offers Real-Time Answers From Live 'Guides'
Part Wikipedia, part Yahoo Answers and part About.com, ChaCha is a new search engine with a compelling hook – real-time results from human beings. The site launches (in "Alpha") today and offers users two ways to search: traditional algorithmic results or help from live "guides." Users interact with guides via an embedded instant messaging window in the search results page.
Brad Bostic, co-founder of ChaCha, said that the site had lined up about 2500 guides at launch: college students, retirees, stay-at-home moms and others "who are online all day anyway." But not just anyone can become a guide apparently; you have to be "sponsored" (invited by an existing guide) and work your way up a hierarchy consisting of four levels.
New guides are considered "apprentices" and are matched with areas of personal interest and expertise. New guides also have mentors, more experienced guides who monitor their work. Apprentices cannot interact with the public initially and must pass several tests for speed, quality and accuracy. If they meet these requirements they become "pros."
Pros then get the chance to interact with the public and will be paid (US$5 per "search hour"). After pro come two other levels: "master" and ultimately "elite." Elite-level guides make US$10 per search hour. But once you become a master you're eligible to earn 10% of what your "network" makes. Your network consists of those you've brought into the "ChaCha Underground" (the community of guides).
The challenges of this entire concept obviously revolve around the cost structure and how many guides ChaCha can recruit to make the real-time aspect of this work well. It was clear from my conversation with Bostic, however, that ChaCha has carefully thought through these issues. The company has developed financial and ego-based incentives to recruit and retain guides and various mechanisms to help maximize the quality of their results.
While Bostic believes that most people will get and stay involved because of altruistic reasons (think Wikipedia), the modest financial rewards and four levels of "initiation" (my term) may add additional appeal for prospective guides. As mentioned, there's also a community aspect. Guides have profiles, featuring their areas of expertise and most recent answers. They're also rated by users..."
http://blog.searchenginewatch.com/blog/060904-044533
"New Engine 'ChaCha' Offers Real-Time Answers From Live 'Guides'
Part Wikipedia, part Yahoo Answers and part About.com, ChaCha is a new search engine with a compelling hook – real-time results from human beings. The site launches (in "Alpha") today and offers users two ways to search: traditional algorithmic results or help from live "guides." Users interact with guides via an embedded instant messaging window in the search results page.
Brad Bostic, co-founder of ChaCha, said that the site had lined up about 2500 guides at launch: college students, retirees, stay-at-home moms and others "who are online all day anyway." But not just anyone can become a guide apparently; you have to be "sponsored" (invited by an existing guide) and work your way up a hierarchy consisting of four levels.
New guides are considered "apprentices" and are matched with areas of personal interest and expertise. New guides also have mentors, more experienced guides who monitor their work. Apprentices cannot interact with the public initially and must pass several tests for speed, quality and accuracy. If they meet these requirements they become "pros."
Pros then get the chance to interact with the public and will be paid (US$5 per "search hour"). After pro come two other levels: "master" and ultimately "elite." Elite-level guides make US$10 per search hour. But once you become a master you're eligible to earn 10% of what your "network" makes. Your network consists of those you've brought into the "ChaCha Underground" (the community of guides).
The challenges of this entire concept obviously revolve around the cost structure and how many guides ChaCha can recruit to make the real-time aspect of this work well. It was clear from my conversation with Bostic, however, that ChaCha has carefully thought through these issues. The company has developed financial and ego-based incentives to recruit and retain guides and various mechanisms to help maximize the quality of their results.
While Bostic believes that most people will get and stay involved because of altruistic reasons (think Wikipedia), the modest financial rewards and four levels of "initiation" (my term) may add additional appeal for prospective guides. As mentioned, there's also a community aspect. Guides have profiles, featuring their areas of expertise and most recent answers. They're also rated by users..."
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