Health search engine Healia has recently launched some community-driven verticals in order to provide additional value to users. This is something that several health-related search tools have done, in order to supplement existing search content with user-generated content.
This is typically a tricky situation for the health sector because of the sensitive and legal nature that can arise with user-generated content being provided within a health-related vertical. Some ways in which others in the health search industry, like Hakia, have begun to ensure quality content alongside user-generated content is to have it verified by a third party. What Healia is doing is installing a rewards system for members that participate on the community end.
I spoke with Healia founder Tom Eng about the new communities and the associated point system, which rewards users based on site activity. While this is a great way to encourage user activity with most communities, the health sector is a different story.
Giving users top billing just because they create more content and leave more comments isn't the best indication as to their validity and trustworthiness. Eng took my comments to heart and the Healia team will be looking at ways to improve the rewards system accordingly.