Decentralized Search with Presearch: Base, Privacy, and the Future

Summary

In the 'Building Web 3 Podcast', host Tim explores the innovative world of decentralized search with Presearch, a platform boasting over 1 million users. Tim, Presearch's CEO, shares his journey from traditional finance to crypto, detailing his initial skepticism and eventual embrace of Bitcoin. He discusses the evolution of Presearch, from its ICO to its current status as a leader in web 3 search technology, emphasizing its privacy-focused, decentralized approach and the challenges of balancing transparency with user anonymity in advertising.

Takeaways

• 😀 Tim, the CEO of Presearch, was initially skeptical about Bitcoin but after deep research, he found value in it and became involved in the crypto space since 2013.
• 🔐 Presearch is a decentralized search engine platform aiming to revolutionize internet exploration with a focus on privacy and individual freedoms.
• 📈 Presearch has grown to over 1 million active users and offers a unique advertising model that respects user privacy by not tracking personal data.
• 💡 Tim's background includes managing a nine-digit family office and his experience spans various areas including stocks, bonds, real estate, and crypto.
• 🚀 Presearch introduced 'Preg GPT', a generative AI search engine that is part of their suite of innovative web 3.0 technologies.
• 🛠️ The platform allows users to choose from over 120 different search engines, providing a customizable search experience.
• 💼 Tim became involved with Presearch after being asked to be an advisor, and later took over the company to save it from failing after running out of ICO funds.
• 🔄 Presearch is transitioning from a centralized model to a decentralized one by building on blockchain technology, starting with Binance's Smart Chain.
• 🔑 They are working on giving users their own wallets for staking and rewards, enhancing transparency and aligning with the ethos of web 3.0.
• 🤝 Presearch has established partnerships with companies like Coinzilla and Q Coin, and is engaging with the broader crypto community for growth.
• 🌐 The Presearch team is focused on improving the platform's transparency, reducing token inflation, and planning for a deflationary model to increase token value.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the Building Web 3 Podcast episode featuring Tim?

The main focus of the episode is to explore the world of decentralized search, specifically discussing the platform Presearch and its innovations in Web 3 search technology.

How did Tim initially get involved in the cryptocurrency space?

Tim got involved in crypto in 2013 when a company he was working with asked him to manage a Bitcoin fund due to his fund management experience. Initially skeptical, he spent six months researching and eventually became more convinced about the potential of Bitcoin.

What was Tim's background before he became involved in the crypto space?

Tim's background is quite diverse, but he had experience in fund management. He was involved in a crypto fund without needing to understand or believe in Bitcoin, just needing to know how to run a fund.

What is Presearch and how does it differ from traditional search engines?

Presearch is a decentralized search platform that allows users to choose from over 120 different search engines. It also offers features like search staking, node staking, and keyword staking, which are unique to its platform.

What is the significance of Presearch's partnership with Salad, and what does it aim to achieve?

The partnership with Salad aims to create a generative AI search engine using Salad's decentralized network of GPUs. This collaboration is significant as it represents an innovative approach to leveraging underutilized computing power for AI purposes.

What is the concept of 'preg GPT' mentioned in the podcast?

Preg GPT refers to Presearch's generative AI search engine, which is a unique offering in the decentralized search space. It is designed to be more privacy-focused and less restrictive than other AI search engines.

How does Presearch plan to address the issue of transparency and centralization in its platform?

Presearch plans to move to a more decentralized model by integrating with blockchain platforms like Base. This will allow for greater transparency, as every search and reward can be recorded on the blockchain, and users will have more control over their tokens.

What is the strategy behind Presearch's approach to advertising, and how does it differ from traditional online advertising?

Presearch's advertising strategy focuses on privacy and does not use tracking methods like pixels or cookies. Instead, it offers 'Presearch Takeover Ads' which are displayed as background images without any invasive tracking, appealing to users who value privacy.

How does Presearch handle the issue of attributing ad campaigns without using traditional tracking methods?

Presearch provides advertisers with metadata about ad interactions, such as the number of clicks, without collecting personal data about the users. This allows advertisers to gauge the effectiveness of their campaigns without invading user privacy.

What are the future plans for Presearch in terms of technological advancements and integrations?

Presearch is planning to launch preg GPT2 with lower guard rails than its predecessor and is working on integrating with blockchain platforms for a more decentralized and transparent system. They also aim to make the platform more user-friendly by allowing users to manage their wallets and staking directly.

How can interested listeners get involved with Presearch and stay updated on its developments?

Listeners can get involved with Presearch by visiting their website, joining their Telegram channels, and following their social media accounts. They also host bi-weekly live streams to keep the community updated on the latest developments.