Embedded Search: A Baidu from ByteDance?
August 7, 2019
“Regular” search used to require four steps: [1] Navigate to Lycos.com or another Web search engine; [2] Enter query and review results; [3] Maybe enter another bunch of words and review results; [4] Snag some info. Done. Close enough for horse shoes.
“Modern” search presents an answer: Use phone and see information the system determines that which you want even if you don’t know you want that information. Pizza? Beer? KFC? React.
Is there a third way?
ByteDance thinks there is. According to India’s Economic Times:
ByteDance, an innovative Beijing startup that created the hit video app TikTok, is moving into search in a threat to the ad business that has fuelled Baidu’s profit. ByteDance, known for aggressively recruiting top tech talent, is turning its attention to one of the most lucrative businesses online. “From 0 to 1, we are building a general search engine for a more ideal user experience…”
What is the information retrieval method? DarkCyber noted this explanation:
ByteDance’s search will be embedded within its own apps, beginning with its Jinri Toutiao news service. That will allow users to quickly search for related news, information or products — and ByteDance will be able to profit from search and display advertising.
How is this different from “modern” search?
DarkCyber is not sure. What’s clear is that ByteDance knows how to attract users. Remember. This is the company with the TikTok video service. Users may not know or care about regular search. None of the Web search services do.
Users want convenience, quick jolts of data which the users perceive as “relevant”, and ease of use.
Will ByteDance become the service of choice when an aspiring scientist seeks information about a specific technical topic.
No, but search is convenient, experiential, and easy. The future of search?
There is no search. But there is a Baidu.
Stephen E Arnold, August 7, 2019
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