What can you use the application for?
Mahalo is an interesting social search engine aimed at simplifying the search process. The home page not only allows the user to search the web, but it also provides a snapshot of the latest news updates ranging from technology to media, politics, sports, entertainment, travel, cars, fashion and much more. Mahalo claims to be "World’s first human-powered" search engine that allows the user to create a spam free, comprehensive search. The home page guides the first time user as to what Mahalo is all about. Mahalo brings the best of search results for its users and helps in saving the time. Since Mahalo has just started, its search capability is not as elaborate as Google, but with more than 50,000 search titles till now, Mahalo is surely going to make it big in the near future. The best part about the search results is that they are organized, to help the user proceed quickly and easily. Mahalo features only the genuine websites that makes search process more safe and secure. The browser extension in Mahalo allows the user to continue using their search engines and at the same time viewing the results at Mahalo. Mahalo also acts as a social networking site as it allows the users to share links and make friends through Mahalo social. The more you share Mahalo links with your friends, the more you become popular through the leaderboard. To participate in Mahalo social, one needs to create an account with Mahalo. Once the account is created, the user may upload photos, profile, videos and other similar things to their account.
What is the history and popularity of the application?
The web directory, Mahalo, was established in the year 2007 by Jason Calacanis with an aim to start up a search engine that is different from the traditional machine-based search engines like Google and Yahoo Search. Currently it plans to expand it user base rapidly and is taking various initiatives in that direction.
What are the differences to other applications?
Though several other social search engines have also mushroomed nowadays there are certain minute yet fundamental differences that segregate Mahalo from other such search engines. This one of a kind search engine-cum-social networking site allows the user to build pages for search results through "Mahalo Greenhouse" that can be featured on Mahalo, if it gets selected. Another distinguishing feature is "Mahalo follow" that directly posts the recommended links to Google, Faves, MySpace etc. Though Mahalo has included many topics in its web directory, but its search engine is still not as efficient as Google. However the good thing is, where Mahalo fails, it offers search results from Google, Wikipedia and other search engines.
How does the application look and feel to use?
The fully loaded front page flashes a catchy tag line saying "we are here to help ". It does not exactly look like a search engine. The excessive use of green shades makes it less appealing. In addition to this, the front page gives a claustrophobic appearance to the website as it looks unnecessarily loaded with excessive information. Overall, the outlook of the website is not appealing.
How does the registration process work?
One does not require to register oneself to start the search. The process is free of cost. But by creating an account one can enjoy several other services like social networking and sharing of links etc. Moreover the registration process is pretty simple and quick. The user needs to enter his/her email address, password and the username to join Mahalo. But the registration is not mandatory to search.
What does it cost to use the application?
The human search engine Mahalo provides free of cost services to its users including the registration. Mahalo gets financial support from leading investors like Michael Moritz of Sequoia Capital and PayPal founder Elon Musk. Some other investors are Mark Cuban of Dallas Maverics and Ted Leonsis, chairman of AOL (America Online, Inc).
Who would you recommend the application to?
Though Mahalo Search engine is not immensely different from other search engines, it can be beneficial for those who wish to search while socializing with their friends. Mahalo Search allows the user to browse other search engines including Google, Wikipedia, Yahoo Search etc. for more advanced search results. All other services are more or less same as offered by other search engines. Though, the search capability of Mahalo is limited, it is a good site to enjoy social networking and other things including latest news updates and music, but as far as "search" is concerned, it does not solve the problem.
