Become.com Lets Searchers Zoom Ahead

Product research service provider Become.com has launched Search Zoom, a feature to help users focus their search on the type of resources they want to see.

Become.com claims Search Zoom lets users find product-related information faster, easier and more accurately.

"Search Zoom gives users a better way to find the pages that are of interest to them and additional information about what they will find on a site before they click over to it," said Jon Glick, senior director of product search at Become.com, Mountain View, CA. "The different types of content serve users at points all along the buying cycle."

For example, users may search for "sunglasses" and choose to see results displaying guides on how to pick the right pair. The search results are labeled so that users know what information they will find on a page before they click.

"Right now we identify five types of content of particular interest to shoppers: product reviews, buying guides, discussion forums, product details and store pages," Mr. Glick said.

Someone just starting out might want buying guides, while someone closer to buying might want information on details and reviews. Search Zoom lets users tailor their results, providing more qualified leads.

"With Search Zoom users can choose exactly the type of information that meets their needs, rather than having to hunt through pages and pages of search results looking for what they need," Mr. Glick said.