WebProNews

Yahoo's SearchMonkey platform was supposed to shape the next generation of search, and now it's doing exactly that - sort of.  Yahoo's taken a shot at integrating several experimental SearchMonkey applications into its default search results, anyway.

Try a query that's likely to turn up information from LinkedIn, Yahoo Local, or Yelp.  Sometimes this works, and sometimes not, but you may be shown a specially formatted, extra-informative enhanced result.

 Special SearchMonkey Result

We saw one of these when searching for [jerry yang linkedin].  (Note: Yahoo's CEO doesn't appear to have an up-to-date profile, so it's not a problem that someone else is presented.)  Users also get the option to ask for help, "share this result with friends," or simply state a dislike for the new format.

The applications are rather interesting and potentially useful; TechCrunch commenters certainly took a shine to their integration.  This move also provides developers with a real incentive to put more energy into working with SearchMonkey.

Finally, although not much has been said about what will happen with SearchMonkey in the future, the platform spread to Latin America yesterday with the launch of a Search Gallery accessible from Argentina, Brazil, and Mexico.