I was checking out Ansearch.com.au today, it used to be one of the bigger search sites in Australia but like many others is now hidden in the gigantic shadow cast by Google. It was several years since I’d last been there, I was quite surprised at the transformation of the site – from complex portal to Google simplicity. Then I noticed some rather different options next to the search box – you can select gender and age range. What the?!
So apparently it is to help you locate results which are more relevant to you. It is an interesting way to go about it. Some of the examples given by the site include:
- A 19 year old male purchasing a car for the first time may focus on plasma lights, speakers and Nitro Boost whereas a professional female in her 30s is likely to consider decent boot space, heated seats and leather interior;
- Young girls under the age of 17 will be more interested in locating music performed by Britney Spears than Frank Sinatra which would be of more interest to females over 55 years;
- Holiday locations and preferences will differ between the 18-24 and 35-44 age group;
- ‘Education’ will vary in meaning between youths accessing primary school websites and adults with a desire to further their education.
I suppose it is sensible, but it is very consumer focussed and I wonder if it is really all that useful. I mean wouldn’t people who were looking for Britney Spears music just type the singers name?