Yahoo has launched a new search technology called vertical lens, with TechCrunch being the first one to implement it. The newly implemented search on TechCrunch allows its users to not only search content on TechCrunch and its network sites, but also from across the web right from the search box on the site.
Some specific features of the vertical lens technology are:
- Real-time indexing of proprietary content- Once TechCrunch content is added or a user comment is submitted, the search index almost immediately reflects the changes.
- Customized ranking- The BOSS and TechCrunch teams worked closely to fine-tune the ranking algorithm to fit the TechCrunch audience and user experience.
- Structured search- BOSS supports faceted refinement around TechCrunch’s structured content. This offers powerful tools for people who want to fine tune their searches or browse TechCrunch content – e.g. narrowing in on articles on Twitter written only by Michael Arrington, or only the most popular articles (popularity is determined by number of comments), or locating all companies that are founded in 2008.
- Blending Web with proprietary content in a single search display- After querying both the TechCrunch and the Web indices, BOSS blends the results to produce one result set that is both relevant and comprehensive.
