Life search refers to a vertical search engine that uses search technology to provide users with life and service information. Life Search provides users with immediately actionable information, such as business information, product/service information, discount information, rental information, recruitment information, bank (ATM), etc.
Experts say that when users use life search engines to find information, they are most concerned about the location and contact information that the information refers to. Therefore, using maps to search for life information will undoubtedly provide users with a better search experience.
The biggest difference from online electronic maps is that map search can not only view city maps, query streets, buildings, etc., but also search for business information (catering, accommodation...), schools, banks (ATM), parks, and bus routes within a specified range. , driving navigation, etc. Among them, using online maps to search for business information in a specified range can help users find their daily needs most quickly, which is the most distinctive function of map search.
Three types of websites are relatively easy to enter the map search field: 1. Electronic map websites; 2. Life search websites; 3. General search engines.
Electronic map website
Electronic maps, which started earlier, have accumulated a lot of loyal users, such as Sogou Maps. The biggest barrier for such websites to enter the field of map search is the source of life information. If we can use technical means or cooperate with life information providers to solve the problem of information Due to the source problem, electronic map websites can enter the map search field.
Case: Sogou Map (http://map.sogou.com)
Sogou Maps is an earlier online electronic map in China. Sogou Maps currently has a functional framework for map search, but the quantity and quality of life information need to be improved.
The LifeSouSou website itself has a large amount of life information. By cooperating with map partners and opening map channels, you can enter the map search field.
Case: Pojaa Map (http://ditu.pojaa.com)
Puga is a professional people's livelihood information expert. The website has hundreds of millions of life service information. Puga cooperated with the map provider Mapbar to launch the Puga map channel. In June 2009, a new version of Puga map was launched, integrating livelihood information search, city map query, bus query (transfer), driving navigation and other functions. It is currently a map search engine with relatively complete functions in the industry. The special function is to search for merchants within the field of view and search for merchants by box selection.
universal search engine
In the field of life search, general search engines do not have much advantages. However, users' search behaviors are becoming more and more refined, prompting general search engines to launch life search services one after another. Map search also emerged in this environment.
Case: Google map search (http://ditu.google.cn/)
As the big brother in the search industry, Google is not inferior in map search. In January 2009, Google map search surpassed AOL for the first time and became the largest map search site in the United States. Google Maps integrates city query, route query and life information query, and is an excellent map search engine; the image display function in map search can improve the user experience.
From electronic map websites, life search websites to general search engines, map search is regarded as a battleground. It can be seen that map search must be the next milestone in life search.
At present, the design of map search engines does not fully consider the interaction between users. If some special functions can be added to user interaction, the user experience can be greatly improved and communication between users can be greatly improved. For example, Puga Map can be combined with Puga Neighbors. Develop some special features.