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Thursday, September 8, 2011

What Google should've done to save Aardvark!

Aardvark logo black.png
Aardvark is a bit like Google answers -which was also slashed by Google a while back- and it's main purpose is to help you find answers to the questions that you're asking. What's interesting about this project is that it's built in a much more creative way than Yahoo Answers; it let's you fill in your profile upon registration and asks you to type up all stuff that you know about or have an interest in. This way, the service pushes only relevant questions that you can answer right to your e-mail. The concept was interesting, but sadly the project is shutting down and here's what Google should've done to save it.

Actually put it on Google (DUH!): The service has probably never been added to the Google products page along with docs and other services and hasn't even been added to Google Labs, which makes no sense

Integration with Google search results: This is something that I haven't really seen happening. Unlike Yahoo Answers in search results, Aardvark could've been deeply integrated with Google search in so many ways from search results to a widget popping up on the right side of the screen with related questions asked and the ability to type up a new question directly

Integrate it with Google Plus: The fact that Google Plus is still lacking the unique feature that would send users out of Facebook makes this integration a worthwhile one. I can picture Aardvark introducing the ability to ask certain circles through a status update and Aardvark would automatically look for the most qualified users to answer the question. Even simpler, G+ user could ask a question to the public and let Aardvark find people to answer. Even beyond statuses, it could be added to comments and a G+ user would also be able to ask questions about shared articles or news reports.

I think it all boils down to how much thought and effort was put into Aardvark by Google. If they wanted this to breakout, they would've pushed for it just like they are now for G+. It just annoys me to see how Google is -maybe unintentionally- killing projects like Aardvark after buying them off a year earlier. Then why buy them in the first place?!

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