I understand that a comparison with google is unfair and not realistic. I also believe though that there are some major opportunities for a local search engine to provide unique and relevant content and search results. Ananzi has some advantages over other local engines being established as it has been around for awhile and for a time, provided excellent results (in the local context). We had 1st hand insight into this when a local hotel group that we managed received a fair amount of traffic from your site.

My concern though (from what I can tell), is that Ananzi needs a point of difference and the sooner you find it the better - In my opinion, you dont have it at the moment. With other big local media groups looking at investing in search, its not about whose got the money, makes the most noise, its about who has the soundest strategy and finds a niche (think local and personlized).

I also think that the search category is in its infancy and there will be huge opportunities for all of us. I dont see Google as genius quite yet

On Alexa, the less said the better I think for all our sakes.

I understand that a comparison with google is unfair and not realistic. I also believe though that there are some major opportunities for a local search engine to provide unique and relevant content and search results. Ananzi has some advantages over other local engines being established as it has been around for awhile and for a time, provided excellent results (in the local context). We had 1st hand insight into this when a local hotel group that we managed received a fair amount of traffic from your site.

My concern though (from what I can tell), is that Ananzi needs a point of difference and the sooner you find it the better - In my opinion, you dont have it at the moment. With other big local media groups looking at investing in search, its not about whose got the money, makes the most noise, its about who has the soundest strategy and finds a niche (think local and personlized).

I also think that the search category is in its infancy and there will be huge opportunities for all of us. I dont see Google as genius quite yet

On Alexa, the less said the better I think for all our sakes.

Thanks for recognising the fact that Ananzi is more comparable to the Yahoo! model. However, your article, together with numerous others, insists on drawing the Ananzi/Google comparison. Ananzi recognises what the perception is, and responds accordingly, because as we all know, perception is reality unfortunately. Hence the Itweb article.

Whether it be Yahoo or Google, it doesn't really matter because Ananzi cannot compare to the millions that these guys invest in search technology - nor does it want to. Having said that, rather compare Ananzi to local engines such as Jonga, Funnel and Grabble…it would be interesting to see what a system such as Alexa shows.

Thanks for your comments. I do understand that the market perceives Ananzi to compete with Google, but in reality, Yahoo is more of a competitor, should they enter the local market.

What causes confusion though, is articles such as this: http://www.itweb.co.za/sections/internet/2007/0...

Where the headline news is “Ananzi not scared of Google”

Also, given the response rates from users, I would question whether advertisers want to attract users by irritating them in order to attract their attention - just a thought!

The poll on Ananzi provides relevant and important market information for our user demographic, and the case of the pop up and pop unders is no different. Ananzi agrees that pop ups are not the most ideal advertisments, but there is no denying that it gets the attention of the user (whether good or bad), sometimes more so than banners which are embedded into a site. However, as more and more people are making use of pop up blockers, Ananzi is proactively trying to determine whether or not this form of online advertising is viable. These ads are capped to a frequency of 3 per user, and if that is not good enough, then make use of your pop up blocker. So yes, Ananzi is evaluating pop ups, hence the poll.

Thanks for recognising the fact that Ananzi is more comparable to the Yahoo! model. However, your article, together with numerous others, insists on drawing the Ananzi/Google comparison. Ananzi recognises what the perception is, and responds accordingly, because as we all know, perception is reality unfortunately. Hence the Itweb article.

Whether it be Yahoo or Google, it doesn’t really matter because Ananzi cannot compare to the millions that these guys invest in search technology - nor does it want to. Having said that, rather compare Ananzi to local engines such as Jonga, Funnel and Grabble…it would be interesting to see what a system such as Alexa shows.

Thanks for your comments. I do understand that the market perceives Ananzi to compete with Google, but in reality, Yahoo is more of a competitor, should they enter the local market.

What causes confusion though, is articles such as this: http://www.itweb.co.za/sections/internet/2007/0703071301.asp?A=BSR&S=BestRead&O=FPIN

Where the headline news is “Ananzi not scared of Google”

Also, given the response rates from users, I would question whether advertisers want to attract users by irritating them in order to attract their attention - just a thought!

The poll on Ananzi provides relevant and important market information for our user demographic, and the case of the pop up and pop unders is no different. Ananzi agrees that pop ups are not the most ideal advertisments, but there is no denying that it gets the attention of the user (whether good or bad), sometimes more so than banners which are embedded into a site. However, as more and more people are making use of pop up blockers, Ananzi is proactively trying to determine whether or not this form of online advertising is viable. These ads are capped to a frequency of 3 per user, and if that is not good enough, then make use of your pop up blocker. So yes, Ananzi is evaluating pop ups, hence the poll.