The Future of Search: Curating Information and Vertical Scope

The Future of Search: Curating Information and Vertical Scope

Curiosity is an inherent human desire that drives us to seek knowledge and learn new things. We have a natural inclination to avoid wasting time, which is why people often curate information. This concept of curation involves curating what we have searched for and creating a curated bucket from which we can search in the future. This approach can be broken down into three steps: generic search from the Internet, curating important parts, and searching from the curated bucket.

When it comes to curating information, the quality and scope of the curated bucket are crucial. To maintain quality, social accountability can be introduced. By incorporating public aspects into the curation process, individuals can rely on the opinions and recommendations of others to ensure the curated bucket contains high-quality information. This integration of social accountability and specific important parts can help maintain the overall quality of the curated bucket.

Moreover, the way people organize information is often different from how they actually search for it. This insight demonstrates the need to separate the search scope into verticals or narrow it down. By doing so, we can improve the signal-noise ratio and make our searches more effective. Vertical search, or narrowing down the scope, allows us to focus on specific categories and find information more efficiently.

Interestingly, the words "curate" and "curious" are derived from the same Latin word, "cura," which means care. This connection highlights the importance of caring for the information we search for and curate. In the case of In-cura-net, an innovative approach to search, an interest graph and social graph can be utilized to find relevant and curated information. This concept of In-cura-net suggests that the future of search lies in vertical searches through high-quality curated buckets that make the most of interest and social graphs.

In a different context, the success story of OSI owners is a testament to the importance of perseverance and passion. After starting the company 11 years ago, Vento and Johnson were able to sell their company for a staggering $665 million. Their journey teaches us valuable lessons, such as not giving up equity by bringing in too many shareholders and the importance of believing in your technology and satisfying the market. This success was not solely driven by the pursuit of monetary gain but by the passion they had for their work.

Combining these insights, we can draw three actionable pieces of advice for the future of search:

1. Embrace the concept of curation: Curating information is a powerful way to ensure you have a curated bucket of knowledge to search from in the future. Take the time to curate important parts and rely on social accountability to maintain the quality of your curated bucket.

2. Focus on vertical or narrowed searches: To improve the effectiveness of your searches, consider narrowing down the scope or focusing on specific categories. This can help improve the signal-noise ratio and make your searches more efficient.

3. Follow your passion: The success story of OSI owners reminds us of the importance of pursuing something we feel passionate about. Don't chase monetary gain alone; instead, find something you genuinely care about and believe in. Passion and dedication can lead to remarkable achievements.

In conclusion, the future of search lies in the combination of curated buckets, vertical searches, and the integration of interest and social graphs. By curating information and focusing on specific categories, we can enhance the quality and efficiency of our searches. Additionally, following our passion and believing in our work can lead to remarkable success. So, let us embrace the future of search with curiosity and care.