DUBAI: Araby.com, the first Arabic Search engine optimized to offer advanced Arabic language results via Arabic resources to worldwide users, has recently recorded a rapid growth in its beta version site.
Almost three months after its launch, Araby.com witnessed a phenomenal jump in its users to reach 300,000 unique users and 600,000 visits to the site.
Health, culture, technology and religion have topped the list of favorite topics and words searched among the rapidly growing Araby.com community in the Arab World.
Araby.com’s recent search criteria analysis indicates 10% of searches were conducted for the arts and culture. The most searched celebrity is Nancy Ajram with Haifa Wehbi, the most searched singer.
The most searched personalities are Hassan Nasrallah and the preacher Amr Khalid respectively. 1 out of 25 users are interested in religious topics whereas 1 out of 40 users are interested in the lives of the rich and famous. In science, the most searched keywords are ‘alternative medicine’ and ‘herbs’, while top of the leisure searches include ‘make up’ and ‘cars’ respectively.
Araby.com confirmed the varying orientations of the Arab online population which range between news sites, photos, blogs and forums, to rooting around Arabic language and Islamic topics.
"Despite Araby.com’s recent launch, the website has successfully crawled through millions of Arabic documents on the internet, adopting very advanced algorithms and relevancy criteria," said Samih Toukan, CEO of Maktoob Group.
The network combines hundreds of servers and the world’s latest search technology which allow Arabic language users searches to take into account the differing Arabic language rules and spelling formats.
About Maktoob Group:
Maktoob Group comprises a network of leading online media companies and websites. In addition to the Arab world’s leading portal, www.maktoob.com, the Maktoob Group network includes, cashU (www.cashu.com) the electronic payment solution, , Souq.com (www.souq.com) auctions and marketplace, Bentelhalal (www.bentelhalal.com) the largest Arabic matrimonial site, Sport4ever (www.sport4ever.com) a popular Arabic sports site and AdabWaFan (www.adabwafan.com) the online store for Arabic Books and Music. In 2005, Abraaj Capital, a leading regional private equity firm, acquired a stake in Maktoob, giving the Maktoob Group the resources to enhance its market share and accelerate its growth plans.
For more information about the Group, please visit www.maktoobgroup.com
