Looking for a new way to search for information online? Try Blekko, a search engine featuring slashtag (/) searching. Slashtag categories are created by a group of initial users and guide searchers to trusted websites. For example, a Blekko search "headache/health" will return only health sites determined to be helpful by other users. Categories are rechecked with artificial intelligence software to ensure relevancy. Blekko sees slashtag searching as a way to bypass "junk" webpages and reach the most useful information quickly.
Blekko's examples of where slashtag searches come in handy include searches you can't do with keywords: global warming /conservative, ufos /paranormal, congress /humor and searches in categories that are otherwise heavily spammed: avoiding swine flu /health, iphone 4 reviews /techblogs, Aruba /travel.
Blekko's complete list of slashtags can be found here. You can also open an account with Blekko and create your own slashtags. The video below provides an overview of how to search using Blekko and information on the company's web search bill of rights , a document outlining their commitment to open search practices and user privacy.
