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What do you think of the Yahoo! Answers Search?
I think it needs some improvement, since I use the Search feature a lot instead of directly asking a question.
The Search results normally put up on the first page questions that were asked 9 months ago or so.. etc. I know that you can use the Advanced Search to specify a time range but what if you don't want questions from only a certain time range; you just want the information you're looking for? They should enable you to Sort the search results questions by date or no. of answers or whatever.
Also what I find annoying is when you search for a certain keyword in questions it gives you at the top the questions which have only that word as the question title, like for example "Yahoo Answers???".And they also include unimportant words in the search, like "the", "how", you know.. words that normal search engines ommit to get real results.
Another point: they should enable you to search in specific subcategories not just main categories...
What do you think? Any points to share?
Specially that it's supposed to be "a searchable database for knowledge"?
It's quite more frustrating to use than a normal search engine e.g. Google
5 Answers
- Debster2Lv 61 decade agoFavorite Answer
I agree, the search function needs a LOT of improvement. It's ironic given that seem to be creating a database of knowledge. I find sometimes that doing the search on google works better.
Here are some suggestions:
1. They should re-enable the search by nickname
2. You should be able to sort by date
3. You should be able to search by subcategory not just category
4. You should be able to narrow your search if you get a ton of answers
5. You should be able to sort by # of thumbs up the best answer got - that way, you are theoretically getting the best responses. (Sometimes I open them up & I get non-answers)
6. You should be able to sort by # of answers (if you're using searching as a way to find abandoned questions) and it would even be helpful if it highlighted ones you already answered.
- 1 decade ago
YA search features are at best third rate. It is shameful that a web property like Yahoo has such a system. They should be ashamed. I know that I have been requesting comment from YAT for a full year on this and pointed out that it worked better early last year before the site got a new Beta version. Then it went to heck.
- 1 decade ago
i liked the first part of Debster2's answer. i'm not so sure that the thumbs up and down feature would be helpful. i'm not sure what other definitive features would be helpful, but i agree that the search, as it is now, is definitely NOT helpful. i rarely, if ever, manage to locate my answers there. i do better in this forum by far!!! thanks, grmmynet
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