The Future of Search: Curating and Vertical Scope

The Future of Search: Curating and Vertical Scope

In our ever-evolving world, the future of search is a topic of great interest and speculation. With advancements in technology and the increasing amount of information available, the way we search for and consume information is changing. One aspect that is often overlooked is the difference between search and recommendation. While search allows us to actively seek out information, recommendation systems suggest content based on our preferences and interests.

To truly understand the future of search, we must also consider the importance of categories and verticals. Searching within a specific category or narrowing down the scope of our search can greatly impact the signal-to-noise ratio. By focusing on a narrower scope, we can find more relevant and targeted results. This is especially important as the amount of information available continues to grow exponentially.

Curating information is another key aspect of the future of search. People naturally have a desire to curate and organize the information they come across. This desire stems from our inherent loss aversion - we don't want to waste the time we've spent searching for information. Curating what we have searched for allows us to create a curated bucket that we can search from in the future.

The quality and scope of this curated bucket are crucial. Maintaining quality can be achieved through social accountability associated with public aspects. By sharing our curated information publicly, we can ensure that it meets certain standards and is reliable. Public highlights can combine the benefits of social accountability and specific important parts, ensuring the quality of the curated bucket.

Interestingly, the word "curate" and "curious" are derived from the same Latin word, "cura," meaning care. This highlights the inherent connection between the act of curating and our natural curiosity. Combining these concepts, a potential future of search could be an "in-cura-net," where an interest graph and social graph are used to search for information. This vertical approach, utilizing high-quality curated buckets, could make the most use of our interests and social connections.

Casey's Guide to Finding Product/Market Fit: Retention and Vision

Finding product/market fit is a crucial milestone for any product. It is the point at which the product delivers value and allows for sustained growth. As product people, our focus should be on connecting people to the value of the product once we've confirmed that it is delivering value.

One important aspect to understand is that customers are never fully satisfied. Their expectations are continually changing and evolving. In our quest for a better way, what was once considered extraordinary quickly becomes ordinary. Therefore, product/market fit is not when customers stop complaining or are fully satisfied. It is when they stop leaving and instead retain the product.

Retention is a powerful signal of product/market fit. By measuring retention, we can gauge whether our product is truly delivering value and creating sustainable growth. However, retention alone is not enough. The rate of retention also matters. A flattened retention curve of the key action at the designated frequency, coupled with month-over-month growth in new customers, is the best way to measure true product/market fit.

There are two main schools of thought when it comes to finding product/market fit. The Eric Ries model emphasizes talking to customers early and often to understand their pain points and build something valuable. On the other hand, the Keith Rabois model is driven by the founders' strong vision and focuses on building what they have envisioned before any customer interaction.

While both approaches have their merits, a combination of a strong vision and market feedback can be a dominant approach. It allows for a clear vision while also incorporating valuable insights from customers. Depending on the product being built, other factors may come into play, but this combination is often a winning strategy.

In conclusion, the future of search lies in the curation of information and the vertical scope of our searches. By curating what we have searched for and maintaining high-quality curated buckets, we can make the most of our interests and social connections. Additionally, finding product/market fit is crucial for the success of any product. Measuring retention and combining a strong vision with market feedback can lead to sustained growth and success.

Actionable Advice:

1. Take the time to curate and organize the information you come across. Create curated buckets that you can search from in the future.
2. Consider the vertical scope of your searches. Narrowing down the scope can lead to more relevant and targeted results.
3. Measure retention and focus on both the rate of retention and month-over-month growth in new customers to gauge true product/market fit.