According to the latest American Consumer Satisfaction Index, a well-known report issued by the University of Michigan, Ask.com has shown the greatest increase in overall consumer satisfaction over the last year. In June of this year, Ask.com underwent a make-over, which may have contributed to this increase. Ask is well-known for it’s untraditional search results display, which is currently three panes with traditional links, as well as links to videos, pictures, and blog search results.

Google

Google is the best-known search engine to date, but its consumer satisfaction is down three points since last year, leaving it behind Yahoo! at 78. Despite a lower consumer satisfaction rating, about 1/2 of the internet searches in the US continue to go through the Mountain View, California-based search engine.

Yahoo!

The 12-year-old search engine comes in at number one in consumer satisfaction, with 79% overall approval. Yahoo! has actually gained 3 points since last year, while its better-known rival fell by the same amount. Prospects for a continual rise for the Sunnyvale-based corporation are good.

AOL

Things aren’t coming up roses for this global internet services provider. Since last year, its consumer satisfaction rating has dropped a staggering 10%, as it makes the transition from paid internet to ad-supported free service. Out of all of the searches made in the United States, only about 4% go through AOL.

Source: Ask.com on the Upswing by Miguel Heft, for The New York Times, 8/14/2007