Matrix Partners Funded Four Interactive Launches Local Search - Laila
Four Interactive, the startup funded by Matrix Partners has launched a local search engine called Laila, which also allows users to review content. So far the content is limited to Bangalore, and the company intends to cover 22 cities (though no timeline is mentioned in the release). The listing+reviews model seems similar to that of Burrp.com, which already has listings for 5 cities, as well as SMS alerts. Reviews at AskLaila are for events, wine and dine, local services and shopping; reviews are ranked, and comments allowed. Four Interactive is founded by Shriram Adukoorie and Kiran Konduri . Adukoorie had launched MSN in India and served as its Country Manager from 1999 to 2003.
While in stealth mode, Four Interactive claimed to be working on services that “lie at the intersection of mobile, content and web”, so I guess there’s a mobile service in the offing. I’ve lost count of the number of local search engines in India: There’s Guruji (funding from Sequoia Capital), Zook from Ziva Software (funding from Nadathur), OnYoMo, MIH’s Dwaar, Burrp. Infomedia seems to be the most popular source for local content, and Nokia (NYSE: NOK) has plans for a mobile app. There’s also JustDial (funding from SAIF Partners and SVB), which has ported it’s telephone yellow pages business online.
Posted In: Search, Technologies / Formats
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Comments (11)
Aug 6, 2007 3:02 AM
Local search is next Airline Ticket Booking and Reservation . too crowded too confusing . no differentiator . i tried to look for some thai food on Asklaila . there lsiting was of no use. i know it because i am a Foody and know every joint in Bangalore. i will keep on using http://www.hungrybangalore.com which is far more useful and meaningful.
no result for Taxi @ Indira Nagar 2nd Stage . in Laila and no Taxi result in Burpp . assuming i can count them for anything in hour of need . Grrr
Aug 6, 2007 3:57 AM
i think onyomo has all this stuff for many cities
though i dont hear a whole lot about onyomo these days
Aug 6, 2007 4:11 AM
By far the best among all local searches in India is undoubtedly justdial.com. None of the others come close to justdial’s width and depth. Sample restaurants in any city you get choice by cusine, price range and both.
Aug 6, 2007 4:44 AM
Sanjay,
the one thing that concerns me about JustDial is privacy of user data. For their phone-directory business, they sell leads for Rs.100 each. Case in point is when i had inquired about hotels for Rafat sometime last year…within minutes, I got a call back from one of the hotels that was recommended to me…they already had all the details.
Aug 6, 2007 5:01 AM
i agree with nikhil. had similar experience..in addition to getting spam emails from justdial
Aug 6, 2007 6:36 AM
Boss,
You can’t expect free telephone numbers, and then not expect the lead to be sold. That’s the business model. If you want the number, you need to give your numbers, which will be monetised.
If you don’t want that to happen, don’t call JustDial. Let’s see if any other business model comes up as an alternative. Till that time, either use JustDial, or check with friends for numbers, or worse, check the Yellow Pages.
Aug 6, 2007 6:59 AM
I dont really understand why http://www.indiacom.com is not getting a mention over here. After all its one of the oldest local search engines in India launched in1999-2000.. and has got quite a lot of data with reasonable accuracy… for quite a many cities in India including Hyderabad, Pune and Ahmedabad….
Aug 6, 2007 10:39 AM
JustFan: if that data is being collected to sell to marketers, there need to be disclosures and permissions.
Aug 6, 2007 1:47 PM
Nikhil,
You always have a choice of giving your neigbour’s phone number whom you hate. :-)
Aug 6, 2007 3:22 PM
and also of your EX Girl Friend’s Who dumped you . :)
Aug 7, 2007 1:14 AM
heh…I’d give yours if i had it. O-)