Ask.com has partnered with security firm Symantec to offer users safer search results in an effort to attract more traffic.
Ask and Symantec developed Safe Search that makes searching the Web safer by providing users with ratings before they visit a site that could damage or infect their computer.
Safe Search works by offering ratings embedded directly into the search results page and allows users to perform searches from their Norton toolbar and see site ratings on a customized results page.
On the customized search results page, each of the search results will be safety-rated by Symantec using a color-coded icon to help users decide if they should visit potentially harmful or malicious sites. Users will be able to mouse over the rating icon to receive more information about the Safe Search rating.
Safe Search is currently available only in English, and is included with Norton Safe Web as part of the Norton 360 version 3.0 public beta. Ask says it will continue to work with Symantec to improve search safety.
“This move is part of Ask.com’s ongoing focus on families to provide them with safe search features and the best content anywhere on the Web,” said Ask.com Chief Executive Officer Jim Safka.
“Our customers will continue to see Ask.com innovate with technology that serves consumers with a series of compelling verticals across major search categories in 2009, and beyond.”
