Social search engine launches

Scour, an internet search engine based on both algorithms and human ratings, has been launched.

As well as using the traditional search formulas of Yahoo!, Google and MSN, sites can rise up Scour rankings through gaining comments and recommendations from users.

Daniel Yomtobian, president and chief executive officer of Scour, said that the benefit of the new system is that it combines established methods of searching with the feedback of other users.

"The concept is not new but we believe we can bring the elements together better than some of the other engines have to date," he added.

Scour takes its search results from those of the three biggest search engines - Google, Yahoo! and MSN - and then filters these according to user comments.

Users are rewarded for each search and comment with search points which are redeemable as Visa gift cards.

The new engine was previously known as Aftervote.com but has expanded to include a social networking element.

According to the Social CMS Buzz, the search works "really well" and users "won't be disappointed" with the system.