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Qwiki – a new visual search and learning engine

Author's avatar By Dave Chaffey 24 Jan, 2011
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Importance: [rating=5]

Our commentary: Here we're alerting you to an exciting new information-sharing and learning technology. It's very early days for the service - it's in a closed alpha and launched around November 2010. But it's already getting rave reviews and satisfaction ratings from users and I found it interesting to take a look.

So what is Qwiki? Qwiki describes its technology capability as "to evaluate and enrich any static text "€“ transforming it into a beautiful, interactive experience with zero human effort "€“ it can be applied to virtually any corpus of information.

Here's an example for an individual:

TEDx SF 2010 - Juan Enriquez from Qwiki on Vimeo.

View more examples of Qwiki.

For me, Qwiki looks to be a great visual way of learning - think of it as a combination of Wikipedia or Google Knol with a TV documentary. The voiceover is very futuristic - like from a Sci-fi movie... Although you can share the content, there is little in the way of interaction, review or refinement at the moment, despite Qwiki being in the name, I guess that will evolve.

Thanks to our expert commentator Imran Farooq of MMC Learning for tipping me off about this.

Marketing implications: I called it a search engine in the headline. It's a little hard to categorise, but I think it will be down to SEOs to learn how to represent their clients well within it. If it becomes big. Early indications are that it may and I think Google would be a natural company to acquire it.

It's probably too early to worry too much about the SEO implications and even if you were it would be difficult to find out how to optimise for Qwiki - they want to keep their secrets to themselves.It seems there will be API or standard data format for transferring information to Qwiki. All Qwiki discloses for now is: Qwiki currently describes millions of reference terms. Soon, we'll be unveiling a platform allowing any web publisher to turn their content into Qwikis.

So one to watch and maybe join the alpha. I've joined but not got access yet - let me know how you found it if you have!

Recommended link: Try Qwiki

Author's avatar

By Dave Chaffey

Digital strategist Dr Dave Chaffey is co-founder and Content Director of online marketing training platform and publisher Smart Insights. 'Dr Dave' is known for his strategic, but practical, data-driven advice. He has trained and consulted with many business of all sizes in most sectors. These include large international B2B and B2C brands including 3M, BP, Barclaycard, Dell, Confused.com, HSBC, Mercedes-Benz, Microsoft, M&G Investment, Rentokil Initial, O2, Royal Canin (Mars Group) plus many smaller businesses. Dave is editor of the templates, guides and courses in our digital marketing resource library used by our Business members to plan, manage and optimize their marketing. Free members can access our free sample templates here. Dave is also keynote speaker, trainer and consultant who is author of 5 bestselling books on digital marketing including Digital Marketing Excellence and Digital Marketing: Strategy, Implementation and Practice. In 2004 he was recognised by the Chartered Institute of Marketing as one of 50 marketing ‘gurus’ worldwide who have helped shape the future of marketing. My personal site, DaveChaffey.com, lists my latest Digital marketing and E-commerce books and support materials including a digital marketing glossary. Please connect on LinkedIn to receive updates or ask me a question.

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