Cuil Shows Promise, but Doesn’t Freeze Out Google

By JUSTIN WILLIAMS

Google is the Internet’s search engine juggernaut, with more than 60 percent market share. Google’s search index works by cataloging keywords on the site and then assigning a rank to it to set its importance for a given query.

Cuil, pronounced “cool,” (www.cuil.com) is a new search engine developed by a few ex-Googlers that hopes to accomplish what neither Yahoo or Microsoft could: beating Google at its own game.

Cuil takes a new approach to searching the Web. While they index pages based on the keywords (much like Google), rather than assigning a popularity ranking, Cuil tries to determine how keywords are related to return a better set of results.

When it finds a page that matches the search query, Cuil will stay on that page and analyze the rest of its content and concepts to try and determine categories and related topics.

For instance, if I were to search for “Evansville” on Cuil, it would give me the results for the Evansville search, but also the ability to search for “University of Evansville,”"Evansville Courier & Press” or “Evansville Otters.”

At launch, Cuil is indexing 121 billion Web pages, which doesn’t seem to be nearly as many as Google. In my testing, a search for “Evansville” will yield 10 million results on Cuil and 19 million on Google.

The number of results, however, is not the most accurate measuring point for a new search engine. In terms of relevancy, Cuil and Google seem to be neck and neck. In terms of interface, Cuil looks to be a contender.

Google’s look and feel remain largely unchanged in the past decade. It displays a single column of results, while Cuil offers a two- or three-column layout that also includes a relevant image, when possible.

The multicolumn layout is a good use of space but can take some getting used to. One benefit of this layout is that it may quell the popularity gaming some site owners do to get a higher rank on Google.

Cuil’s main selling point to me, however, is the categorized search results. When you search for a common word such as “Apple” or “Spain,” Cuil creates a row of tabs along the top of the search window that allows you to filter your results further. If I search for Apple, and only want to see results about “Fiona Apple,” clicking her tab will remove all remnants of the computer company.

Along the side of each results page is a set of categories that relate to a search. If you’re researching a topic this is a great way to find related queries and artists. In the case of “Fiona Apple,” Cuil displays lets me explore other singers, rock groups or Grammy winners.

If Cuil can continue to refine its technology to improve search relevancy, I’d be willing to switch my allegiance.

Justin Williams is a local blogger and the owner of Second Gear, a local Web and software development firm. He can be reached at justin@secondgearllc.com.

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