The hottest Search Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Technology Topics

Google Becomes AT&T

Dana Blankenhorn: Facing the Future • 59 implied HN points • 17 Oct 24
🕹 Technology AI Google Search Infrastructure Monopoly
  1. Google is struggling with its search service, similar to how AT&T failed in the past. They are facing a lot of pressure from new AI technologies.
  2. The company is spending a huge amount of money to fix its issues but still losing ground to competitors. This is making it hard to maintain their position in the search market.
  3. There's a call for government intervention to save the internet and possibly break up Google, as many believe the current setup is damaging and not serving users well.

How I Use AI

Jobs For AI • 26 HN points • 07 Jul 24
🕹 Technology AI Search Documentation Writing
  1. Using AI for writing code can save time and automate tasks, especially for novice programmers
  2. AI can enhance search capabilities and help in learning by providing concise information and alternatives
  3. AI can assist in documentation tasks, like generating instruction documents, and improve writing tasks such as composing sales emails
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The Summary Problem, or why AI in search is attractive

The End(s) of Argument • 39 implied HN points • 17 May 23
🕹 Technology AI Search Information Platforms
  1. AI in search can help provide concise answers to specific queries, reducing cognitive load for users
  2. Platforms and users find AI attractive in search due to the potential of turning articles into direct answers, addressing user frustration and error
  3. Improving the user experience in search results, such as through summaries, snippets, and direct answers, remains a known but persistent challenge which AI aims to tackle

Why OpenAI is forced to enter the search business

Enterprise AI Trends • 13 HN points • 15 May 24
🕹 Technology AI Search Market Trends Competition Consumer Tech
  1. OpenAI is entering the search market because they need to compete with Google and Meta, who are offering similar AI features for free. This means OpenAI has to find new ways to keep users interested.
  2. The company is facing challenges in both the enterprise and consumer markets, as competitors are closing the technology gap quickly. This makes it harder for OpenAI to maintain its lead and attract enterprise customers.
  3. If OpenAI wants to succeed in search, they need to keep things simple and avoid copying Google's strategies. Partnering with companies like Apple could help them become more relevant and popular.

How Discord Handles Billions of Messages [System Design Sundays]

Technology Made Simple • 39 implied HN points • 17 Oct 22
🕹 Technology System Design Messaging Database Search Engineering
  1. Storage is crucial in system design, requiring detailed analysis of data generated for efficient handling.
  2. Discord uses Cassandra as its database to manage the storage of messages efficiently.
  3. Indexing messages and using tools like ElasticSearch are key for efficient search functionality in large data sets.

Error 404: Google Search Not Found

Sector 6 | The Newsletter of AIM • 19 implied HN points • 26 Jun 23
🕹 Technology AI Search Chatbots Analytics Innovation
  1. Search engines are changing a lot, and soon we might just chat with AI instead of typing our questions. They might still show some links, but the focus will be on conversation.
  2. Google had the goal of using AI in their search from the very beginning. Even in 2002, they tried a service where humans would answer questions, but they quickly realized they needed AI to handle all the inquiries.
  3. Larry Page, one of Google's founders, said that they would know their mission was complete once their search engine was fully powered by AI. They see the future of search as relying on artificial intelligence.

A.I. And The Nature of Human Search

The Digital Anthropologist • 19 implied HN points • 25 May 23
🕹 Technology AI Search Generative AI Information Management Ethics
  1. Our brains are essentially search engines that help us make sense of the world around us and communicate with others to find common ground in our varied realities.
  2. Generative AI tools like Large Language Models can enhance our natural search behavior by helping us find context faster and take action more efficiently, although they are not without risks like generating misinformation.
  3. As GAI tools evolve and societal rules around their use are established, they have the potential to greatly improve productivity in information and knowledge management within organizations while also aiding in better understanding human behavior and societal complexities.

Grounding: The Holly Grail of Natural Language Processing and Why 99% misunderstand what ChatGPT is all about.

Laszlo’s Newsletter • 32 implied HN points • 12 Feb 23
🕹 Technology NLP Algorithm Communication Search
  1. Grounding in natural language processing is crucial for successful communication by establishing shared mutual information.
  2. ChatGPT lacks grounding capabilities, as it focuses on predicting the next word rather than understanding context.
  3. PageRank by Google prioritizes accuracy over guessing, while ChatGPT may provide inaccurate information due to its lack of grounding.

GPTs: What are they good for?

Causal Deference • 8 implied HN points • 17 Nov 23
🕹 Technology AI Chatbots Search Machine Learning Innovation
  1. GPTs can be used to create custom chatbots, but the killer app is still elusive.
  2. OpenAI's GPTs feature allows for powerful functionality by combining saved prompts with backend tools like Bing search.
  3. There is potential in developing GPT-based systems with better posting assistance, context awareness, and batch processing for more compelling applications.

4/26/22: Chinese Ecommerce Framework #2: Intent-Based Vs. Not (Search Vs. Browsing / Livestreaming)

Tech Buzz China Insider • 19 implied HN points • 26 Apr 22
🕹 Technology Ecommerce Livestreaming Search Platforms Market
  1. Chinese e-commerce in 2022 focuses on intent-based vs. non-intent-based shopping methods like search, browsing, and livestreaming.
  2. The traditional e-commerce model in the West emphasizes aggregating supply and demand, while in China, there's a shift towards more entertainment-oriented and immersive shopping experiences.
  3. Livestreaming e-commerce has seen significant growth in China, with potential for further expansion, showcasing the evolving landscape of online shopping.

Vector Databases: Databases for the AI era

Engineering At Scale • 3 HN points • 15 Jul 23
🕹 Technology Databases AI Search Applications Conclusion
  1. Vector databases are trending in the tech industry, especially with AI applications and investments from various sources.
  2. Data can be classified into structured, semi-structured, and unstructured categories, each requiring different database solutions.
  3. Vector databases excel in handling unstructured data, like images and videos, providing specialized search capabilities for applications like recommendation systems and fraud detection.

The Runner Up is…

Sector 6 | The Newsletter of AIM • 0 implied HN points • 09 Nov 23
🕹 Technology AI Innovation Advertising Search Market Trends
  1. Google is facing tough competition in the generative AI industry. Many of its skilled employees are leaving for other companies with better AI offerings.
  2. Despite these challenges, Google is actively trying to innovate by adding new AI features to improve its search and advertising services.
  3. The company is still making significant revenue from advertising, showing that it remains a major player in the tech industry, even if it's lagging in AI.

An Offer Apple Can’t Refuse

Sector 6 | The Newsletter of AIM • 0 implied HN points • 24 Feb 23
🕹 Technology AI Search Ecosystems Software Market Competition
  1. Microsoft is trying to compete with Google in search, hoping to capture more of the market. They use advanced AI to improve their search results.
  2. Apple has created a complete tech ecosystem with its devices and services. This makes it hard for other companies to break into their space, except in search.
  3. Unlike Microsoft, Apple seems less interested in developing search capabilities. This could be a missed opportunity for them.

Vector Database Checklist Point

The Beep • 0 implied HN points • 01 Mar 24
🕹 Technology AI Data Software Search Databases
  1. Always start with a clear goal when building a VectorDB. This helps in setting the right direction and making evaluation easier.
  2. Data quality is crucial for VectorDB to work well. Clean and well-prepared data leads to better search results.
  3. Choosing the right VectorDB is important. Picking the wrong one can lead to issues with how effectively it retrieves information.

A simple suggestion to improve search UX

Talking to Computers: The Email • 0 implied HN points • 25 Mar 24
🕹 Technology User Experience Search E-commerce User Interaction
  1. Search suggestions help users type less and avoid mistakes, which is especially important on mobile devices. Fewer keystrokes lead to faster and more successful searches.
  2. Contextual suggestions can guide users to better queries, showing them related products or searches when they type. This can help them find what they actually want more easily.
  3. E-commerce websites, especially for groceries, benefit from these smart suggestions to help shoppers buy more items at once. It’s a unique approach that supports the way people shop for multiple products.

Three lines that define search

Talking to Computers: The Email • 0 implied HN points • 18 Mar 24
🕹 Technology Search User Experience Information Retrieval Data Management Machine Learning
  1. Users often want to find information with the least amount of actions. A well-designed interface can let them get what they need in just one action, like typing a query.
  2. The difference between finding and discovery is important. Finding is when users know what they want and search for it, while discovery is about stumbling upon things they didn't even know they wanted.
  3. Precision and recall are two key ideas in search results. Precision means showing only the most relevant results, while recall means showing all relevant results, even if some are less relevant.

Google Search Reloaded 🔍✨

Sector 6 | The Newsletter of AIM • 0 implied HN points • 17 May 24
🕹 Technology AI Search Software Innovation Development
  1. Google is changing how its search works, aiming to provide a better experience for users. They want to compete with other tech companies, especially OpenAI.
  2. New products like text-to-video and AI tools show that Google is focusing on improving their technology and staying relevant.
  3. Experts are noting that competition from OpenAI has pushed Google to enhance its services and rethink its approach to search.

The end of hypertext

Steven’s Substack • 0 implied HN points • 20 Mar 23
🕹 Technology Internet AI Data Search Generative AI
  1. The internet is shifting from being text-based like a book to being more interactive like conversing with authors.
  2. AI search results are evolving, leading to 'zero-click' searches, where users don't click through to websites, impacting traditional publishers.
  3. Generative AI is transforming information search, enabling the creation of bespoke content and the interaction with vast pools of structured and unstructured data.

Using a "lens test" to escape a data void

The End(s) of Argument • 0 implied HN points • 10 Jun 21
🕹 Technology Search Data Analysis Bias Information literacy
  1. Using a 'lens test' can help navigate through data voids by comparing search results for accurate sources.
  2. Avoid adding terms like 'misinformation' to search keywords as it may unintentionally bias the results.
  3. Over the years, search engine algorithms have improved in filtering out biased results and data voids, making it easier to find reliable information.

10/21 Tech Buzz China Insider Digest

Tech Buzz China Insider • 0 implied HN points • 22 Oct 21
🕹 Technology AI Ecommerce Search IOT Social media
  1. ByteDance dominates the top positions in China's digital advertising platforms, indicating its significant market presence.
  2. Xi Jinping's essay on Common Prosperity emphasizes skilled manufacturing and agricultural industrialization as potential business opportunities.
  3. China is pressuring tech giants like Tencent and ByteDance to open their content to other search providers, potentially impacting user behavior and content consumption.

Starting with the Answer

Kiernan • 0 implied HN points • 09 Sep 23
🕹 Technology Artificial Intelligence Search Machine Learning AI Applications
  1. Embedding vectors provide numerical representations for different types of content, allowing for easy comparison and search based on similarity.
  2. Starting with the answer in search means casting a broad net by providing an example of what you're looking for, rather than specific keywords.
  3. By utilizing embedding vectors, search results can be tailored to match concepts or sentiments, making searches more efficient and effective.

Are LLMs Making Search Any Better?

Sector 6 | The Newsletter of AIM • 0 implied HN points • 29 Jan 24
🕹 Technology AI Search Internet Data Software
  1. Experts think LLMs aren't really improving search. They say LLMs provide a conversational search but still rely on traditional search engines.
  2. LLMs can create wrong information, which is called hallucination. Linking them to reliable websites could help, but it takes away from their original purpose.
  3. While LLMs add some value, they still can't fully replace normal search engines. They are meant to support rather than replace existing tools.