Is Stumble the new Google

We all know how to search for what we want using the search engines but what about when we just want to sit back and let the Internet entertain and inform us. That’s where www.stumbleupon.com and the practice of "stumbling" comes in. Years ago when I first had a chance to try out the internet I was blown away by it. Access to the kind of information that would have previously taken a spell at the library to hunt out, was now available at the click of a submit button. I remember thinking how great it would be to have permanent access to this resource and how I would never be bored again. But boredom doesn’t die without a fight.

Why? Because of a simple lack of imagination. A world of possibilities out there and when confronted with a small search engine input box i frequently draw a blank. So when I first discovered Stumble I was and still am delighted with it. It’s like a remote control for the internet, but unlike channel surfing there’s a much higher success rate for finding something you’re going to like. Although Stumble is excellent for SEO purposes and getting an interesting site or post to the masses I love it for the fact that it makes the decisions for you. Suggestions after all are very important when it comes to judging whether we like something or not. Just look at the fashion and music industries. So while the term "Googling" is now in the public domain I can see the same happening for "Stumbling" and it becoming a crucial opinion maker for industries such as music, film, gaming, literature and fashion.

Search of course has a lot going for it. It provides people with what they’re looking for and has allowed the small fries to compete alongside the big cheeses. But the beauty of Stumble is that a lot of the time people don’t know what they’re looking for. This is the reason that while search by its helpful nature is always going to be important, social media sites like Stumbleupon and Facebook can add new personalised depth to finding useful information. Think about it. Your deciding on a place to get a meal. Even after searching for a good restaurant you will probably be more inclined to go somewhere recommended by a friend. Social Media is the web once again helping us to engage in conversation on a large scale. Where the good stuff gets passed on from person to person and comments and voting become the moderators. If stumble gets to Google’s popularity we could maybe even see the end of the traditional media’s role as the deciders on what’s worthy of our attention where good content rises to the top irrespective of the clout behind it.