Using a search engine to do good

Interest in charitable giving may have increased over the last decade, but so has the influence of consumerism. Corporations have recognized both trends and created avenues for people to give while getting.

The search engine www.GoodSearch.com took this idea to the Internet and helps you give while searching the Web. Those of us with little cash may be attracted to helping others on the cheap. So, I tested GoodSearch to see how it compared to my favorite search engine and how it might help me give.

Like other Internet search engines, GoodSearch earns revenue from ads. Essentially GoodSearch allows you to give some of their money to your congregation or a charity. It also let’s you shop and give; I’ll get to that in a minute.

I decided to pick Compassion International because I had always wanted to support a Compassion child but never pursued it. The site has a feature to let you see how much GoodSearch users have raised for their charities. So far in 2008, the amount was $355 for Compassion International.

Downside
After researching and using the site for a week, I soon came to the conclusion I wasn’t making much of a contribution to my charity. I never click sidebar advertisements because they rarely help in my searches. This means that even if I use GoodSearch faithfully, I will never raise a penny for Compassion International because money is only generated from clicks on ad links.

Though theoretically I could start clicking on ad links for the good of the cause, GoodSearch says they monitor clicking and block users if they suspect “fraudulent clicking.”

Upside
Despite my personal situation, if you often click on sponsored links on search engines, consider switching to GoodSearch and making it a favorite. They also let you shop online with large companies like Wal-Mart, iTunes, and eBay and a percentage of your purchase goes to your charity—which may be a great feature for other people. So for you, the compelling advantage of GoodSearch is the opportunity to do good while engaging in a normal activity.

In the end
Is Good Search a way to give back on a tight budget? It depends on how you view it. So, For me, I see it as an addition to, not a replacement of, my personal giving.

What is GoodSearch like?
GoodSearch.com is a normal search engine—but with a twist: you can raise money for your favorite charity just by clicking. And, I found it has all of the features and luxuries of Google or other well-known search engines.

The first time you visit GoodSearch you need to type in your congregation or charity into a search box so the money you raise goes to that organization. They have approximately 55,000 churches, schools, and charitable groups listed already.

GoodSearch doesn’t disclose financial statements, which concerns me. However, in a phone conversation, GoodSearch co-founder J.J. Ramberg said the financial statements of charities receiving the funds document this giving.

GoodSeach says it reallocates 50 percent of its profits from ads to various charities listed on their site. They estimate that about $0.01 is raised for charity with every click on a sidebar advertisement.

Jessica High, Ephrata, Pa., is studying accounting at Eastern University and is the online community moderator for MMA’s site for youth and young adults, mmaYnow.com. Ephrata Mennonite Church is her home congregation.

From Mennonite Mutual Aid’s Everyday Stewardship magazine, Summer 2008.