Search for information: How to adapt to modern web challenges

Definition 

Searching for information refers to how internet users look for information, actively search for it, and then use it to fulfill their requirements. It is a process where people seek out information to accomplish specific tasks.

Information-seeking is a dynamic and essential process for acquiring knowledge and understanding. It involves continuous learning, adaptation to technological advancements, and a deep commitment to fulfilling information needs.

A study revealed that people’s desire for Information is driven by instrumental, hedonic, and cognitive utility. They estimate how the information will impact their action, affect, and cognition, respectively. In other words, people tend to seek information more when they believe it will be helpful, when they expect it to positively impact their emotions compared to ignorance, and when they frequently think about the topic. 

How did the search engines transform the search for information? 

Since the late 1990s, the Internet has significantly impacted information search thanks to search engines that provide easily accessible sources that complement traditional sources and channels rather than replacing them.

Search engines and searching for information

Search engines like Google revolutionized search in the late 1990s. Google, created by two Ph.D. students at Stanford, Sergey Brinand Larry Page, provided unprecedented speed and scale in crawling and indexing web pages. This marked a significant milestone in the evolution of search engines and the search for information. The proliferation of information and communication technology has further amplified the use of the Internet to look for virtually all kinds of inquiries. This surge is attributed to availability, coverage, convenience, affordability, interactivity, and anonymity. 

The importance of search engines in decision-making

Information search (or Information seeking) is crucial in decision-making processes, such as purchasing or seeking knowledge on health-related topics. Users search for information to reduce uncertainty and perceived risks associated with their decisions. The more critical the decision or topic, the more likely individuals are to conduct extensive information searches to gather relevant data before making a choice.

Consequently, search engines have become the preferred method of searching due to their efficiency and effectiveness in providing a wide array of resources.

Challenges in information seeking with search engines 

Mismatch in search results

A mismatch refers to the disparity between how users express their information needs and how the search results present the information. This disconnect can lead to search engines needing to understand the user’s query intent accurately, returning irrelevant or incomplete results.

Content quality of the search results

Content quality refers to the standard of information in the search results, mainly focusing on accuracy, reliability, and trustworthiness. It guarantees that the content is authoritative, accurate, and helpful to users, therefore playing an essential role in providing users with relevant and reliable search results.

However, content quality also varies. The web can contain noisy, low-quality, unreliable, and contradictory content, making it hard to assume that each webpage is authoritative and accurate.

Information overload

Another significant challenge is information overload. This issue is exacerbated by the search systems’ limitations, which may need to be more robust to effectively filter and present the most relevant information to users.

For instance, when users type a query to search for information, they often encounter millions of search results that may not align with their search intent.

Spam

Most users typically read the first page of search results, with a staggering 85% of queries resulting in only the first page being viewed. Consequently, some websites resort to spamming tactics to improve search engine rankings.

Spam refers to websites’ attempts to deliberately manipulate their placement in the ranking order of various search engines. This manipulation is done to achieve higher rankings in search results, often through deceptive or unethical means that do not necessarily provide relevant or accurate information to users.

Spam can take various forms, such as text spam, link spam, and cloaking, and it is a prevalent issue in web search engines.

Vaguely structured data

Dealing with vaguely structured data is another challenge because most web pages contain this type of data that needs to be structured in a database sense. The HTML markup on web pages offers some unintentional structure to the content, primarily used to control the document’s layout rather than describe its semantics. This lack of clear structure makes it difficult for search engines to comprehend the content and context of the information on the webpage, impacting the accuracy and relevance of search results.

The challenge lies in extracting meaningful and relevant information from vaguely structured data to provide users with high-quality search results. Since search engines rely on structured data to understand the content of a webpage better, enabling them to deliver more relevant search results to users, the absence of structured data hinders this process. 

Overall, Search engines have long been the go-to for information searches. Yet, despite their rapidity and efficiency, the fundamental process of looking for information remains unchanged. People type in a query and search through endless search result links—a method gradually showing limitations due to the abovementioned challenges, susceptibility to errors, and the rise of AI technology. 

It’s time to acknowledge that there may be more effective approaches than relying solely on search engines.

Wiseone: a convenient alternative to search for information

Wiseone is an AI search and reading co-pilot, purpose-built to streamline the search process, saving valuable time and enhancing efficiency.

The AI tool was created with the idea that we live in a world of information overload and misinformation and that a technological solution leveraged by AI will be the answer to help web users be more efficient and productive in the way they consume information online.
Every feature in the browser extension is designed to save you time, expand your knowledge, and boost your productivity using the best LLMs available today.

How does Wiseone transform the search for information?

Wiseone revolutionizes our search for information by offering innovative features that streamline the process, save time, enhance productivity, and expand knowledge.

Here’s how it happens:

Direct Query Answers: Users can type queries on search engines and receive comprehensive answers directly. The answers provided include references to the sources, allowing easy access for further exploration.

Summarization: Wiseone’s “Summarize” feature allows you to understand the main points of an article efficiently without the need to read the entire piece by generating thorough summaries with key takeaways. 

For example, after typing with Ask Anything, you can quickly access specific sources mentioned in answers and summarize their content, saving valuable time.

Cross-Referencing: Through Cross-check, Wiseone simplifies fact-checking and access to credible information by generating curated lists of news articles reporting on the same topic.

Effortless Information Access: The “Explore feature” provides quick access to related topics, enabling users to gain deeper insights into any subject matter.

Explaining complex words: With Focus, Wiseone ensures a thorough understanding of words to comprehend 100% of the content, mainly complex terms and concepts.

Getting started is easy!

To transform your search for information, follow these simple steps:

• Visit the Chrome Web Store and click ‘Add to Chrome.’
• Once the extension is added, create an account at https://app.wiseone.io/
• Pin the extension and enable it: Click “enable Wiseone,” and a quick access button will appear on the right side of your screen.
• Choose how to use Wiseone features: You can access the features using the quick access button or directly from the extension menu.
• Explore beyond limits: Go to any webpage and start using Wiseone. Whether you prefer using the quick access button or the menu, Wiseone assists you in your searches and online reading.

FAQ