URLs vs. Search in Japanese Train Ads
by nevanI read a piece in Boing Boing about how most of the companies who advertise on Japanese trains use a search picture, with an input box and pointer to show that you should search for the term. In contrast, most companies in the US seem to give a URL for you to enter into a browser. Most of the comments focussed on how this is going to be how things are done in the future and how URLs are slowly being phased out in favour of search. Many mentioned that people now don’t know how to enter a URL and instead use the search box to get to a site. I think the reason for these search boxes is different.
I only saw one person (commenting on the original post) who understood the real reason: URLs are a pain to enter into Keitai. Since these ads appear in trains, they’re targeting people who have their keitai in their hand at that minute. It’s not for people to write down and enter later on in their PC browser. Also, it’s far easier to search for a title, you only have to enter a few kanji into a search box. Presumably, the mobile companies are making a bit of money for ensuring that the search term is associated with the company that uses it.
(Photo by Andyket)
Japanese keitai companies all use a slightly different browser, and the old way of telling people about your service was by listing each click you needed to do to drill down from their homepage. So you used to see lists like: Home-> Travel-> Airports-> Narita, each slightly different for individual navigation systems. Now that the search system has become more prevalent, it’s turned into a symbol that everyone understands immediately, and a quick way to distribute your information to a captive audience.
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Tags: computers, japan, kanji, keitai, romaji, search, Tokyo, train, url
March 26th, 2008 at 12:33
I also dare say that for those who don’t have a keitai at hand it’s easier to remember a bunch of Kanji than some more or less cryptic URL in Romaji. I’m still somewhat irritated by the Search For URLs, just because I’m a URL guy. ;D
March 28th, 2008 at 08:33
That’s funny. I always thought those search graphics weren’t literal and just there to make the ad look “high tech” or something. We’re supposed to actually search for the term? That’s just a little too indirect for me.
What about those black and white scan codes boxes that also accompany posters. You scan them with your phone and you get all the info about it.
April 3rd, 2008 at 09:52
Brad,
The black and white scan codes are called QR codes. They have also have them in color nowadays.
April 8th, 2008 at 11:40
Are they still using QR codes? I’ve always had problems getting my keitai to recognise them, it took a lot of trying to aim my camera exactly at the code and hold still. Still, I just searched for a place to make them and found this:
http://qrcode.kaywa.com/
I made one for spinshell.tv:
http://qrcode.kaywa.com/img.php?s=8&d=http%3A%2F%2Fspinshell.tv%2F
January 9th, 2012 at 01:50
Hortencia Geisen