Google leads in general search at nearly 50% of all searches according to June figures from market researcher comScore. Google's share has remained high despite competition from Yahoo (25% of searches) and Microsoft (13%). In some niches, the search game is still a wide-open field. The key is identifying the right niche.
Roughly 30% of the 7 billion-plus Web searches performed in the U.S. each month relate to individuals. A Google search for an individual may return tens of thousands of links in milliseconds, but it's hard to tell unless you click on one if it's the person you're looking for. The results list won't distinguish between, say, leadership coach John Agno, Microsoft executive John Agno or Honolulu Police Sgt. John Agno.
That's where Jay Bhatti's company, Spock, comes in. His people-specialized search engine scans social networks and other sites where people regularly post information about themselves and others. It then pulls that information into a concise summary about a person, such as his occupation, interests, age, marital status, and hometown. A click on the summary reveals related Web sites and known associates.
Source: BusinessWeek, July 30, 2007