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Free IQ --A New Kind of Internet Experience

By: Larry Christopher Free IQ is a recent but formidable addition to internet social networking scene, combining features of a search engine, free video site and social network. Members are encouraged to view, as well as upload, anything that adds to the knowledge base of the site. Sites are then ranked according to popularity.

There are already at least hundreds of videos and other items posted on Free IQ. While most video sites, such as YouTube, have content that is basically random, or entertainment-oriented, Free IQ is information-centered. While a lot of the content so far is related to the field of internet marketing (reflecting its first members, no doubt), the potential is there for people to share their knowledge in any realm.

Everyone who uses Free IQ has a voice in the ranking of material. So when someone does a search, the top listings are those that the most people found helpful. This is a more democratic approach to ranking, as opposed to the usual search engines, which are often controlled by the marketers with the largest budget. This is in line with Free IQ's goal to be content-driven.

Visually, the home page at Free IQ appears to be a typical search engine. The logistics of the system, however, are designed to bring up more focused and valuable content than a typical search. Every member also has a bio page and a place to start a mailing list, making Free IQ a social network as well as an informational site.

Free IQ also has an affiliate program, which any member can join for free. When someone becomes an affiliate, they can profit on two levels from any purchases made by people under them.

While much of the site is commercial or business-oriented, the interesting thing about it is the amount of free content (as the name implies). While most of the free content, not surprisingly, points to something that ultimately costs money, there is quite a bit of valuable information being given away. While the net is full of free stuff, most of that is trivia, as opposed to useful knowledge.

As a new endeavor, the future of FreeIQ is uncertain. It's something of an experiment that either will or won't take off. As I can see the potential for a vast and diverse site full of interesting content, I'm hoping more people will join the experiment and move it in all kinds of unpredictable directions.