[Sigia-l] RE: Search and "special" keywords

[Richard Wiggins]

Todd,

I'm also a huge advocate of the "Best Bets" approach -- and, as it
happens, a loyal USAA customer.

The question isn't whether you should do a registered keywords or Best
Bets approach; it's why doesn't everyone.  A small number of
registered keywords -- 500 to 1000 -- can direct your customers to THE
right page.  No search engine can achieve results anywhere near as
effective.

Here is an article on the concept:

http://www.infotoday.com/searcher/oct02/wiggins.htm

A registered keyword system is easy to implement and has huge payoffs.
 If you'd like an example of a large organization that understands
Best Bets, try the BBC or Microsoft.  If you'd like an example of a
large organization that doesn't, go to ibm.com and search for:

 x40

That's the leading ultraportable laptop on the planet.  The first item
on the hit list should be "the" home page for the X40.  Instead, it's
a press release.

The only downside is the possibility of political disputes over what
page is "the" page for what keyword (he says on Election Day!).  But
from what I know of USAA, your organization is perhaps less
susceptible.

I'd be glad to tell you how we implemented Best Bets, and what we do
with search log analysis, and why the Zipf curve will change your
life,  if you'd like to chat further.

/rich

On Tue, 12 Oct 2004 13:57:40 -0500, O'Neill, Todd <todd.oneill at usaa.com> wrote:
> We have been asked to provide some functionality that would allow
> something like AOL Keywords for our extranet.
> 
> Essentially a visitor would enter a "keyword" (a term or phrase that is
> related to only one target URL) and get either one result or be
> navigated to the target page. We've worked up a kluge but are seeking
> something with more sophistication or finesse.
> 
> Has anyone done something like this? If not can someone point me toward
> something like SIG-IA for Search Administration (SIG-Search?).
> 
> Thanks in advance!
> 
> Todd O'Neill     Web Producer     USAA Customer Experience
> 210-913-8312     todd.oneill at usaa.com
> These opinions mine not those of USAA.
> "The purpose of business is to create and keep a customer." Peter
> Drucker
> 
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