Imagine you wanted to search something on Google and no matter how good your search term is, you get all crappy results.
Does this happen to you? It does to me sometimes.
I just have to keep on making my search term better to get more targeted results.
So what does this tell us? No matter how good the Google algorithm is, it requires constant human interference to make it great. This is where a search engine evaluator comes in.
Search engine evaluation is a relatively easy online working option with many companies coming into this space.
Previously, few organizations were advertising jobs for this role, but now you have many to apply for, which makes it easier for you to get a flexible role.
What is Search Engine Evaluation?
We all go to search engines, that is, Google or Bing or Yahoo, every day to search for anything. Every search engine has a set algorithm according to which it shows the results. But even though the algorithm is perfect, the results sometimes don’t match the queries (your search term).
A search engine evaluator takes your search term, matches it with the results of the search engine, and decides the compatibility of the results. The search engine evaluation is performed using preset guidelines.
Sound too technical? Don’t worry; it is much easier than it looks.
The Role
The job of search engine evaluator is quite simple. You need to evaluate the search engine’s results on the query according to the guidelines.
For example, if you type Apple into Google, and your results come out as the fruit apple, then the suitability or relevancy of the results is small. The majority of users would have wanted the company Apple in the results. You try to understand the intent behind the search and rate accordingly.
Some companies have job roles like social media evaluator; they are almost similar to search engine evaluation. The results you will have to filter are based on the social media platform.
Do You Fit in This Role?
If you are good with your web navigation, know your way around websites, are a quick learner, and have a good internet connection, then you fit the role.
One thing you will have to keep in mind is you need to be up to date with your regional culture, news, and everything going on around you.
The reason for this is that the nature of the work is mostly region related. For example, if you are located in Germany, then the queries you get would be completely related to that country.
If you can understand a set of guidelines and are adaptable, then you can take a shot at this.
Companies with Evaluators Jobs
There are five organizations that advertise and recruit search engine evaluators/social media evaluators.
#1. Lionbridge
Lionbridge advertises Search Engine Evaluator jobs regularly. Positions are open all around the world in different countries. They are usually part time, with a minimum of 10 hours and a maximum of 20 hours per week.
There will be an assessment test after you apply, and you will be recruited after passing it. The pay varies with different countries.
Lionbridge has a position currently available in China advertised on the company’s website, but keep checking as the positions get updated every month.
#2. Appen
Appen is a global leader in speech and search technology services. It is another company that has search engine evaluator roles available very frequently.
The role is called web search evaluator and is very much similar to the search engine evaluator. It advertises in most countries.
There is another role called social media evaluator that is currently available on the website. You will be working for a social media company to refine the relevancy of the feed.
You will have to commit to 1–4 hours a day, five days a week. You will have assessment tests and practice ratings before you get hired. Pay varies with different countries.
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#3. Leapforce is now Appen
Leapforce (now Appen) is a very trusted company that has been in the search engine evaluation business for a long time. The role personalized search engine evaluator is based on the tasks of your personalized Google account.
You should be an active Google+ user and use the Google search engine in most of your searches.
You will have to take a qualification test before getting hired. The work will be a minimum of 10 hours and a maximum of 20 hours a week.
#4. iSoftStone
iSoftStone recruits in many countries. The role presently on the recruiting website is search engine analyst/online web evaluator. The nature of the work is similar to the other positions, i.e., rating the search results.
You will be given a set of guidelines according to which you will have to rate. There are qualification tests and training periods that you have to get through to get hired.
The hours of work range between 10 and 25 hours a week.
#5. Magnit (formerly Workforce Logiq)
Magnit hires only in the United States. For now, this company is not advertising any roles on its website but do keep visiting the company’s website to see if any new positions are available.
Because most of these organizations offer jobs in different countries, the pay differs according to the location.
There are more side hustle opportunities if you are web savvy.
#6. Website Testing
If you can follow a simple set of instructions and go around checking websites, then you can consider website testing as a side gig.
Website testing is relatively easy and can be done in your own time. You have to go to the website and test to see if everything is working. It does not require much expertise. Along with websites, you can even test apps.
You can try these gigs at UserTesting.com, Loop11.com, and Trymata (formerly TryMyUI.com).
#7. Microtasks
Microtasks are another option for some extra cash; these are small microjobs that you can do online including small editing jobs, research, writing, etc.
Companies like Amazon Mechanical Turk, Clickworker, and Appen have such tasks.
So if you think you are ready to become a search engine evaluator, go ahead and give it a try. These are very flexible and totally nontechnical jobs that can be a good side hustle.
Do you find these roles interesting? Please share your thoughts below.
