WebProNews

LookSmart unveiled 161 new vertical search sites in a variety of categories aimed at delivering consumers relevant search results and advertisers a more qualified customer. The company has added 13 vertical categories to its total 181 sites, which the company says makes it the largest vertical search destination.

LookSmart views the move as "the Web's next logical step," as advertisers seek to better target qualified consumers. The categories provide for related information to the initial search query. For example, LookSmart's Money web sites include: mutual funds, real estate, retirement, savings, stocks, and taxes.

The company compares the advent of vertical search to the early days of cable television when more targeted niche advertising became a regular tenet of the industry.

"Few people thought that Cable would transform the television industry like it did. They thought the consumer and advertiser would not adopt and embrace vertical alternatives," said LookSmart CEO David B. Hills.

"The online medium and search in particular have these same elements. LookSmart is in a unique position to lead this evolution of consumer and advertiser choice on the Web. I'm extremely proud of the LookSmart team and we all look forward to this new chapter in our company's development."

Jason L. Miller is a staff writer for WebProNews covering technology and business.