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ChaCha answers 27M search queries since launch

ChaCha, the human-powered mobile answers service, claims it has captured 7 percent of the mobile text-to-search market with a quarterly growth rate of more than 800 percent.

ChaCha said it now has more than 1 million users and has answered more than 27 million queries since it launched its mobile answers service in January. This, combined with its quarterly growth rate in Q2, makes ChaCha the fastest growing mobile search service, surpassing both Google and Yahoo in both WAP and text-based search growth rates, according to Nielsen Mobile.

"This growth has to do with our user experience," said Susan Marshall, vice president of marketing at ChaCha, Indianapolis. "Because of the users experience, 88 percent of our users heard about the service from a friend, so it has a viral effect. People love it."

According to Nielsen's Q2 Media SMS Report, ChaCha is the fastest-growing mobile SMS search service in the U.S. with over 800 percent growth from Q1-Q2.

"Mobile search is growing at an incredible pace," said Chris Quick, mobile media analyst with Nielsen Mobile. "Within the mobile SMS search category, ChaCha is the fastest growing service, increasingly competitive with other mobile search providers. We're therefore keeping very close tabs on how ChaCha will affect the mobile market."

ChaCha is tied for the No. 2 position in mobile SMS search with Yahoo. Both companies captured 7 percent of the SMS Search market share through end of Q2.

The study found that Yahoo only grew 200 percent from Q1 to Q2 vs. ChaCha's 800 percent growth.

The report states that SMS search represents 37 percent of all mobile searches, surpassing both WAP, 411 and carrier searches in the number of monthly searches.

Google (63 percent) and Yahoo (35 percent) dominate browser-based WAP search.

"ChaCha works on virtually phones by using SMS text and/or voice which represents a larger overall market opportunity," Ms. Marshall said.

Recently, ChaCha also launched its mobile marketing solution, ChaCha 1:1, and is partnering with premium brands including Coca Cola, Fifth Third Bank and McDonald's to implement engaging, conversational and highly relevant mobile marketing campaigns.

ChaCha merges sophisticated search technology with the power of human intelligence by leveraging its growing base of over 35,000 Guides to answer customer queries 24/7 by simply texting a question to (242 242) or calling (1-800-224-2242) from virtually any mobile device.

"The ubiquity of SMS makes this service available for everyone," Ms. Marshall said. "It is an easy tool to use and is not as complicated as browser searches can be."