On the heels of last weeks Search Engine Strategies I thought it might be fun to cobble together an idea of what the future of search may look like. With my keen power of observations coupled with some good old fashion tea leave reading here is what I took away from SES.

Thanks to cloud computing and advances of processing the current search model paradigm will shift to individual preferences rather then algorithmic approximations.

With the current model based solely on keywords and geography in the form of internet provider, a stock answer tends to be returned regardless of the individual’s preferences when any general term is queried.

I believe that in the not to distant future a more efficient model will evolve in that all search is based off of a social platform (Facebook for example). Each return is quantified on specific ques that are located with in the individuals network.
So if for example my social page indicates that I was born in New Jersey, attended Rutgers University, and most of my “friends” are fans of the NY Football Giants than my return for the search “Football Jersey” would be unique to me.

The ad model that would follow thanks to universal search would perhaps be a NY Giants Jersey (Eli’s of course) or the chance to purchase tickets to the next RU home game. My natural return may even provide video highlights of NJ high school football of the previous weekend.

These returns would all be specific to me and thus exponentially increase their likelihood of effectiveness.
I have included two brief diagrams of how I see search today and in the future. I did them both in keynote on the train home so please forgive the rudimentary nature of them.

When I get time I would like to spend more time on this topic, so if you have any ideas please drop a comment.