FAQs

1. What is metasearch? How does it differ from a major search engine?

A metasearch engine (otherwise known as multi-search engine) searches multiple sources (search engines, databases), retrieves the best results, sorts them internally and shows them. On the other hand, a major search engine only depends on its own database of indexed web pages.

In short, a metasearch engine produces the best results from multiple sources (major search engines) when a major search engine produces results from its own index only.

2. Can I embed XML feeds from PPC Search Engines in my metasearch?

Yes.

XML feed (or result content from any data-source in almost any textual format) can be included in your metasearch results just like any other data source (usually called 'engine-module'). Each such data-source has to be built-into a small engine-module file. We deliver engine-modules for all popular PPC Search Engines, Content-Feed providers. In case we do not have it readily available, our module builders can build it for you.

Furthermore, using the 'Advanced Zoning' feature you can even create zones and show results from any data source with individual customization, positioning and lot more. See the question on 'Zoning' below.

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3. What is Zoning? instead of a major search engine?

'Zone Support' (Zoning) lets you show results from any engine-module (search/data source) as a separate output block. You can customize each zone individually (result links, number of results, overall layout etc.). Many popular sites use this feature to show a result side-bar (like Google). You can create more than 1 zone and show any zone output anywhere on the result page.

You can use Zoning to show your PPC links (paid listings) with better visibility to increase click-throughs.

Zone Support Addon also lets you create a Top-Zone and associate any engine-module with it just like any other zone. But the Top-Zone results will always appear at the top of the main results. See Zoning Demo for a clearer understanding.

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4. Can I run a major search engine with your 'Hybrid Search Engine'?

Yes.

Our 'Hybrid Search Engine' is a combination of 'major search engine' and 'metasearch engine' where some of your search options (web search, image search, shopping search, news search etc.) can work as a major search engine and some other search options work as a metasearch engine. You can run it just as a major search engine or metasearch engine or a combination of both.

However, to run it as a major search engine you need to have arrangements with a major search data/feed provider (or we can arrange it for you).

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5. Can I run my own PPC search engine using your metasearch solution?

You will need to purchase a PPC management solution/program/application either from us or a third-party to achieve that.

We see the concept of PPC (pay-per-click) search engine as a separate matter than the actual search engine where the PPC results usually appear. This could be your site/search-engine, metasearch engine, web-guide or some affiliate/partner site/s.

Our PPC solutions work as a standalone program that only deals with account creation, submissions, administration, customer management and off-course a search tool that generates the PPC feeds.

Using our metasearch engine or web-guide (or any other search solution) you can effectively create a search front-end that displays the PPC results to the site visitors. Our metasearch (or web-guide) uses 'Zoning' to integrate PPC results to the final results output.

So, when it comes to our PPC solutions; you manage it as a totally separate application and can even on a separate server. You show the PPC results using our metasearch or similar solutions.

As a result, you can use our PPC solutions with almost any search engine or metasearch engine or web guide where you can embed results through XML (or other format) feeds.

On the other hand, if you are using our metasearch engine (or web guide) you do NOT have to use our PPC solutions to start your own PPC. You can employ any third-party PPC solution and embed the PPC feeds to the metasearch results.

With our metasearch solutions you are not tied to any specific PPC solutions. Similarly, with our PPC solutions you are not tied to any search solutions either.

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