Yahoo wants users of its search service to get rid of their pads and pencils and instead utilize a new feature it announced Tuesday called SearchPad. The feature automatically saves recent search items, including links, into a notepad that remains open while the user continues searching.
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Once activated, SearchPad allows users to edit, save, print and share their notes with others, according to Yahoo.
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The genesis of this feature was going out and meeting the people using various search engines and observing them in their natural environment and see how search is being used today, said Tom Chi, senior director of product and experience at Yahoo Search.
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subheadHelp with Research/subhead
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Search has evolved beyond quick one-word searches that result in a list of blue links. Now it is being used to conduct extensive research on various subjects, including placement of aging parents or the best schools for children.
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You cannot do that in one search or in an hour of searching; that is something you will spend several weeks or months, Chi said. We believe this is truly a category of search that is underserved.
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SearchPad is most useful for those conducting research in additional categories such as travel, health, jobs or academia, according to Yahoo.
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When active, SearchPad automatically initiates note-taking once research on a specific topic begins. The service automatically collects visited Web sites and a thumbnail of content searched, and places it into a document for reference by the user.
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While SearchPad is open, the user can add notes to the pad, drag and drop information, and add automatic attribution for a URL. Once all the search information is organized, the user can save the document for future use or send it to friends and family via e-mail or through social networks, including Facebook, Twitter or Delicious.
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SearchPad, however, isn’t for everyone, according…