Google is set to get a rival search site, called Wikia Search, as of January 7th 2008.

The site will differ from Google in that it will allow searchers to rank their results using open-source software in order to improve the filtering of search results.

Co-founder of Wikia Search, Jimmy Wales, claims that the new site offers one key quality that search engine giant Google does not – transparency.

He said when announcing his plans for a search engine nearly a year ago: "If you're relying on people not knowing how the system works, you've got a big problem."

The launch of Wikia Search follows news that Google is in the process of testing its own version of online user-created encyclopaedia, Wikipedia.

Over the past year Google has announced plans to diversify into several other fields, expanding its market stronghold.

In November 2007 it launched a range of software designed for mobile phones with the aim of improving internet access for those on the move.

There have also been rumours that Google is working with some of the big names in mobile phone manufacturing to produce a Google phone, although this has not been confirmed.

© Adfero Ltd