A New Look for DH

[JamesR]

That's quite the new look over at directhit.com, I like it.

[jeremy goodrich]

Ditto that. Nice interface on the front page, very clean.

What I've never really understood about their system, and what could make it incredible, is their base algo. If that was good, then the popularity metrics they apply would make them one killer engine...maybe I should surf there more often, and see if my good taste rubs off on the masses?

Jeremy

[BoneHeadicus]

They basically knocked off the rounded corner gifs and did away with the lime green background......probably keeps them from getting penalized for dark colored text over a dark background....helps the se rankings you know ;).

[littleman]

Yes, this is much better. That old interface was big and ugly -- along the lines of deja's (RIP) old front end. Good move.

[luckynh]

I do like the new look too it's much easier on the eyes.

I think there was a slight shif in the algo

some of my sites have changed within the last few days, both up an down.
The most drastic change was my paid PositionTech page for Ink. It moved from 52
to 17.

[jeremy goodrich]

Paid positiontech page will help your inktomi rankings, but Directhit uses it's own database. Since it was bought by Ask, the spider that will come by most often, in my experience, will be a mozilla 2.0 ask jeeves spider.

So, good to hear that your directhit rankings went up, but paying slurp for service won't help or hinder your directhit/ask ranks.

Jeremy

[celtic gnome]

I agree, the new layout is much cleaner than the older one. Its kinda odd to show up at Direct Hit and be hit with all of that white background. Did they always have that banner add at the top or is that new? Just curious. Is DH using ODP's data for their searches or their own database? Or, are they using their own data base for the initial search and using ODP's data as a directory on their site?

Thanks in advance,
the gnome

[jeremy goodrich]

I believe they are using their own stuff to power the search, and then applying their technology to the open directory for the directory listings.

I am inclinded to think they also spider the open directory for data, almost every engine in existence now seems to include directory data as well as spider driven data.

This link describes their directory in more detail:
[directhit.com...]

This page lists their partners: [directhit.com...]

[celtic gnome]

'While the Open Directory data is open-source, Direct Hit is the only company to provide the data ranked by our award-winning user-relevancy ranking algorithms'

Again, great information Jeremy. I appreciate your quickness to respond and the detailed information you maintain.

thanks,
the gnome

[Brett_Tabke]

Yes, they have had the banner ad for awhile.
I like the look too - low key, yet powerful.