A9 has a Yellow Page function with a twist.

I just can't stop liking the whole strategy behind A9.com as a search engine. This time they've taken the Yellow Pages to a more organized level. They've put maps along with the addresses to local businesses in the area. You don't even have to tell it what zip code you're in, it does it automatically. It's really a nicely organized, clean interface which tells you what you need to know very quickly and all in one place. These guys at A9 are really smart as they make a search engine that works well with the whole Amazon shopping web site.

Is it really any better than any other thing out there as far as maps go? I would say that it really isn't, but what they do better than anybody is make it into a well organized one-stop place to find what you're looking for locally. Is that really all there is to building a better search engine, taking relatively disparate data and organizing it into something people will like to use? It could be just that simple because that's what people like you something easy, and simple to use. I can't get over how well organized the whole A9 search engine set up is. I don't think that there's anything better out there and that includes Yahoo and MSN. A9 is really a new kind of search portal which is geared toward the individual user more than pushing culture or products at someone. That's the old frame of reference that Yahoo and MSN still use. I think that's the one that's going to die out and people are going to go to a well organized, personalized search.

When everyone else has been talking about local search, you didn't always know what were getting. With A9.com, you get Yellow Page results and much more information so you can go to a place that has what you need. One of the big trends that many people miss is that people like to find things online, and then go get them. Many people still like the personal contact they get and the service which allows them to take things back personally. That's why tools like this will make a difference for people. I'm just blown away by how well A9 does things and how it links into Amazon.com so well. Right now, they don't seem like much of a force in the marketplace. But watch out, they are creating what I believe is the next brand of search. A more personalized, organized search without all the other garbage added in that pushes products at you. They do an excellent job of pulling you in to their sphere of influence. Nobody does it better than Amazon right now.

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