(a.k.a. "I'm Feeling Lucky" Search)
Most people know about Google's "I'm Feeling Lucky" button. But the idea is very old, has been in use for several years and is known as "Pass Through Searching/Linking".
The technique is this. If the search engine has enough confidence that it has met the exact match the user is looking for, instead of showing the user the search results, she is taken to the target. It reduces clicks and builds confidence and trust in users (for two reasons: (a) the search service provider is giving up on an opportunity to display a page, and (b) the users will learn to use a search criteria that will give them the exact match for the repeat searches).
Today I have implemented Pass Through Searching on Blog Portal. If the search returns only one result, it will directly take you the appropriate site.
I like it because, instead of having an elaborate blog roll, I have one word shortcuts.
