Search, click, give

Using a search engine to do good
By Jessica High

Interest in charitable giving may have increased over the last decade, but so has the influence of consumerism. Corporations have recognized both trends and created avenues for people to give while getting.

The search engine www.GoodSearch.com took this idea to the Internet and helps you give while searching the Web. Those of us with little cash may be attracted to helping others on the cheap. So, I tested GoodSearch to see how it compared to my favorite search engine and how it might help me give.

Like other Internet search engines, GoodSearch earns revenue from ads. Essentially GoodSearch allows you to give some of their money to your congregation or a charity. It also let’s you shop and give; I’ll get to that in a minute.

I decided to pick Compassion International because I had always wanted to support a Compassion child but never pursued it. The site has a feature to let you see how much GoodSearch users have raised for their charities. So far in 2008, the amount was $355 for Compassion International.

Downside

After researching and using the site for a week, I soon came to the conclusion I wasn’t making much of a contribution to my charity. I never click sidebar advertisements because they rarely help in my searches. This means that even if I use GoodSearch faithfully, I will never raise a penny for Compassion International because money is only generated from clicks on ad links.
Though theoretically I could start clicking on ad links for the good of the cause, GoodSearch says they monitor clicking and block users if they suspect “fraudulent clicking.”

Upside

Despite my personal situation, if you often click on sponsored links on search engines, consider switching to GoodSearch and making it a favorite. They also let you shop online with large companies like Wal-Mart, iTunes, and eBay and a percentage of your purchase goes to your charity – which may be a great feature for other people. So for you, the compelling advantage of GoodSearch is the opportunity to do good while engaging in a normal activity.

In the end

Is Good Search a way to give back on a tight budget? It depends on how you view it. GoodSearch is essentially giving away someone else’s money. So, For me, I see it as an addition to, not a replacement of, my personal giving.

Jessica High, Ephrata, Pa., is studying accounting at Eastern University and is the online community moderator for mmaYnow.com. Ephrata Mennonite Church is her home congregation.