4 ms·
There needs to be a new search engine focused on the niche of people who hate the current ad spam/SEO results that Google currently returns. A query like "best
by kbyatnal 7y ago
There needs to be a new search engine focused on the niche of people who hate the current ad spam/SEO results that Google currently returns. A query like "best headphones" returns results like "The Best Headphones for 2019 | PCMag.com".
They've clearly optimized for the mass user base, since the average person is probably fine with a result like that. But I'm willing to bet no one on HN would ever click a link like that, just because of how "spammy" it feels.
When I search for something like "best headphones", my ideal results would be forum/discussion posts (eg. like "Ask HN") where I can read what other programmers/hackers are using, their experience with it, etc. And that's the problem with trying to make a one-size-fits-all search engine - it isn't possible to make everyone happy.
I've actually been working on a product to solve this exact problem. The best comparison would be the old "discussions" filter that Google used to have until they removed it. I'd love to show more people and get feedback. If this is something you'd be interested in trying, drop your email here ( https://degoogle.typeform.com/to/QzVy7c https://degoogle.typeform.com/to/QzVy7c ) and I'll send you the beta
- sambull 7y agoJust type reddit after every query and you've got the same function
- teawrecks 7y agoAs long as you're ok with only searching reddit...
- buboard 7y agowhat else is there to search, honestly? 1000 headphone affiliate sites? "honest" reviews sponsored by sennheiser? Reddit at least provides generally-ungamed reactions and high density of opinions. Adding "reddit" is the default for any search that matters for me nowadays. I was just searching "game payment gateway" , reddit had the most informative comments.
- kbyatnal 7y agoReddit is a great option (and this is exactly what I do for a lot of searches as well) but its only one of many forums. If you're a programmer searching for headphones, results from HN would be great. If you're a designer, then results from DesignerNews. If you're using them for travel, then you probably want /r/travel. Reddit is a great option, but there's a TON of hidden forums out there that are gold mines for information, which is something I've been also keeping in mind while building this product.
- buboard 7y agohmm maybe you re right but google no longer shows results from the tail end of the distribution. adding "reddit" nudges him to try harder
- saagarjha 7y agoReddit is frequently astroturfed.
- deleted 7y ago[deleted]
- riku_iki 7y agoactually there are tons of niche sites, which have more active discussions than reddit, specifically for headphones one is head-fi.org.
- unlinked_dll 7y agoI don't even mind "best widget" searches coming up with blogspam and the odd forum post. What bothers me is searching for a specific product and having Google promote a competing product to the top search result (or as a "featured" listing that looks like a normal search result).
- ngold 7y agoThe discussions button would be 90% of my search if was available. Maybe a filter for popular boards like reddit or hn would be a game changer.
- deleted 7y ago[deleted]
- kbyatnal 7y agoYep, same for me. Did you put your email in the link above? I'd love to chat more about this and show you what I've been working on
- eino 7y agoI totally agree with the sentiment. However I'm afraid the day "Ask HN" comes as first results in Google, is the day HN will be flooded with spammers recommending their products (like in amazon reviews). I feel the force of small sites like HN is precisely to be in the shadow and too small to interest spammers.