Wikipedia Founder Aims to Launch Search Engine

CYBERSPACE – The founder of the world’s most prolific reference website, Jimmy Wales, has announced plans to expand his Wikipedia empire with the launch of a search engine that is run not on algorithms but human input and intelligence.

Based on a similar philosophy behind Wikipedia, which lets users collaboratively write and edit information on the site, Search Wikia will rely on a community of users to determine the relevancy of web pages and keywords by resorting and editing search results and moving more relevant sites higher up on the page.

Wales said it could take up to three years of user-edits for the site to catch up with search rivals Google and Yahoo.

Wales said Search Wikia is based on the open source search infrastructures of sites Lucene and Nutch and is be backed by several technology companies, including Amazon.com.

Wales told the BBC he was moving into the search engine arena because “search systems for the net were broken.” Wales attributed this dysfunction to the fact that most search engines “lacked freedom, community, accountability and transparency,” and that using algorithms to rank web pages is an inaccurate method of determining the quality of websites.

Search Wikia will be overseen by Wales’ Wikimedia Foundation, with a tentative launch date in early 2007.

Wales founded Wikipedia in 2001. Based on a special type of website called a “wiki,” the site enables collaboration among its community of users, who make thousands of changes to the site’s content on the hour.

At the time of this posting, the term “Search Wikia” had not yet been added to Wikipedia’s database.

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

UPDATED: Supreme Court Rules Against Adult Industry in Pivotal Texas AV Case

The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday issued its decision in Free Speech Coalition v. Paxton, striking a blow against the online adult industry by ruling in support of Texas’ controversial age verification law, HB 1181.

North Carolina Passes Extreme Bill Targeting Adult Sites

The North Carolina state legislature this week ratified a bill that would impose new regulations that industry observers have warned could push adult websites and platforms to ban most adult creators and content.

Supreme Court Ruling Due Friday in FSC v. Paxton AV Case

The U.S. Supreme Court will rule on Friday in Free Speech Coalition v. Paxton, the adult industry trade association's challenge to Texas’ controversial age verification law, HB 1181.

Ofcom: More Porn Providers Commit to Age Assurance Measures

A number of adult content providers operating in the U.K. have confirmed that they plan to introduce age checks in compliance with the Online Safety Act by the July 25 deadline, according to U.K. media regulator Ofcom.

Aylo Says It Will Comply With UK Age Assurance Requirements

Tech and media company Aylo, which owns various adult properties including Pornhub, YouPorn and Redtube, plans to introduce age assurance methods in the United Kingdom that satisfy government rules under the Online Safety Act, the company has announced.

Kyrgyzstan Parliament Approves Measure Outlawing Internet Porn

The Supreme Council of Kyrgyzstan on Wednesday passed legislation outlawing online adult content in the country.

Trial Set for Lawsuit by U Wisconsin Professor Fired Over Adult Content

A trial date of June 22, 2026, has been set for the civil lawsuit filed by veteran communications professor Joe Gow against the University of Wisconsin board of regents, which fired him for creating and appearing in adult content.

New UK Task Force Meets to Target Adult Content

The architect of an influential report that recommended banning adult content deemed “degrading, violent and misogynistic” has convened an “Independent Pornography Review task force” aimed at translating that report’s findings into action in the U.K.

11:11 Creations Launches Affiliate Program

11:11 Creations principal Alicia Silver has launched 11:11 Cash for creators and affiliates.

Pineapple Support, Pornhub to Host 'Self Love' Support Group

Pineapple Support and Pornhub are hosting a free online support group for performers to develop self-love.

Show More