Seznam is synonymous with the Czech internet and remains one of the most popular search engines in the country. Thanks to its specific focus on localized content and innovative tools, it has become an indispensable part of everyday online life for millions of Czech users.
A Czech alternative that doesn’t get lost in the global ocean
The Seznam.cz search engine is not only synonymous with the Czech internet, but also a strong player that has managed to establish itself despite the dominance of global giants like Google and build a stable user base. Its history, dating back to 1996, is an example of a successful local internet project that has maintained its position in the domestic market and evolved into much more than just a search engine. The original version of Seznam was a manually compiled web directory before it evolved into a fully automated search engine, which was revolutionary for the Czech internet at the start of the 21st century.
When Ivo Lukačovič founded Seznam, he wanted to offer Czech users a tool that would understand their needs and provide tailored information. That was the start of what has become one of the most significant internet projects in the Czech Republic. In this article, we’ll look at how Seznam has transformed since its inception and what it offers today.
A search engine with an original approach
Seznam began as a web directory that allowed Czech users to find Czech websites. This service was highly innovative at the time because, in the 1990s, the internet was an unfamiliar and hard-to-grasp environment for many people. The directory became a guide for those learning to navigate the new digital world. This approach had one key difference: while foreign search engines focused on global content, Seznam was localized and matched the needs of the Czech market.
As the internet developed and search moved to algorithms, Seznam did not fall behind. In 2000, it launched its own search engine, which it gradually improved and adapted to be as effective as possible for Czech users. This focus on localized results was crucial and helped Seznam stay at the forefront of the Czech internet market. To keep pace with global search engines, Seznam added its own services, which today form strong competition for other platforms.
Services that make Seznam unique
Today, Seznam is not just a search engine. It’s a platform that connects various services and gives users access to a wide range of information and tools. In addition to search, Seznam focuses on areas that global competitors neglect or implement only in a generic way. Its direct integration with Czech websites, businesses, and services gives it a competitive edge.
Among the most important services Seznam offers are maps, news portals, email services, TV, and even its own online store. In this way, Seznam becomes more than just a search engine—it’s an ecosystem that covers different areas of users’ online needs. News portals like Novinky.cz or Sport.cz attract millions of visitors monthly, while maps and navigation are used daily for route planning and finding places.
Seznam has even developed its own advertising system, Sklik, which offers companies the ability to place PPC (pay-per-click) ads not only in search but also on partner websites. This means Czech businesses can effectively use this advertising tool to reach customers on the domestic market. This sophisticated ad system gives Seznam a major advantage because it can adapt well to local conditions and user preferences.
Seznam knows what users need
Seznam has also bet on personalization, which plays a key role in search today. The system tracks user behavior, search queries, and interactions with individual pages, enabling it to display results that are more relevant. Personalized results are a significant step that simplifies internet use and saves time.
Beyond personalization, Seznam integrates various tools and apps that complement each other. For example, connecting email, maps, and news lets users quickly access the information they need without switching to another website or app. This approach saves time and increases user comfort, which is another reason Seznam maintains a stable and loyal user base.
Seznam and mobile technologies
Another important area where Seznam has made significant progress in recent years is the mobile version of its search engine. Today, the internet is increasingly used on mobile devices, and Seznam understands this well. Optimization for mobile phones, fast page loading, and an intuitive interface are key to providing a quality user experience on smartphones and tablets. Seznam’s mobile apps have become popular among users, which means Seznam is ready for the future and for changes in how people access online information.
As for its user base, Seznam remains very strong. Although global search engines have a larger share of the worldwide market, Seznam maintains a dominant position in the Czech Republic. This success is no accident—Seznam not only responds to trends but actively shapes them and innovates in line with the needs of the Czech market.
Advertising and marketing
In addition to ensuring a quality user experience, Seznam also invests in advertising. The Sklik advertising system, developed in 2006, has become a key tool for marketing and advertising in the Czech Republic. This system allows companies to target ads to users who have a specific interest in their products or services. This ability to target is a significant tool for Czech companies that want to reach Czech customers directly.
Sklik can also precisely target specific user segments, which means ads are not shown to people who aren’t interested in the product. This approach is effective not only for large corporations but also for small and medium-sized businesses that can use the tool to expand their online reach.
Seznam and its competition
Although Seznam holds a strong position in the Czech Republic, it cannot ignore the global competition that dominates the world’s internet. Google is undoubtedly the leader in search and many other online services such as email, maps, and cloud storage. Despite this dominance, Seznam has shown it doesn’t need to pander to foreign giants and can maintain its position at home thanks to localization and a deep understanding of Czech users.
One of the main reasons Seznam can still keep pace is its focus on the Czech market. This search engine understands the specifics, needs, and preferences of Czech users, which is reflected in search results and the services offered. For example, domestic news updates are always faster and more relevant than on global platforms. This remains a key reason users prefer Seznam over global search engines.
Seznam’s technology
Seznam builds its infrastructure on open-source technologies and modern solutions. From the beginning, it chose the stability and security of the Linux operating system, which forms the basis for most of its servers. This approach enables a high level of customization and maximum efficiency in system administration.
Choosing technology tools for effective operations
To achieve high performance and reliability, Seznam uses a range of proven tools. Web servers running on platforms such as NGINX, Apache, or Lighttpd enable flexible management of online applications, while database servers like MySQL and PostgreSQL ensure fast and reliable data access. To process the large volumes of data Seznam manages, modern technologies such as Hadoop or ElasticSearch are integrated into the infrastructure, enabling efficient real-time analytics and search.
Own data centers and energy efficiency
Seznam has always tried to minimize reliance on external providers and focused on building its own infrastructure. In 2015, it launched its own data center, Kokura, designed to meet high energy standards with a PUE (Power Usage Effectiveness) of 1,2. This emphasis on energy efficiency has proven key to ensuring sustainable development and sufficient performance for the growth of services such as Seznam’s email.
Ensuring high availability and reliability
To ensure high availability and resilience to outages, Seznam’s data centers are designed to operate without interruption even in crisis situations. This is supported by connections to independent connectivity providers and membership in the FENIX group of trusted networks, which ensure reliable internet connections at high capacities. Thanks to this, Seznam effectively handles the load associated with huge data volumes and online operations.
Conclusion
Seznam is undoubtedly one of the greatest successes of the Czech internet market. Its ability to innovate and adapt to new technological trends makes it a strong competitor in the domestic market, where it has long maintained a dominant position. This search engine not only provides key internet tools, but also actively contributes to shaping public discourse and culture in Czech society. Seznam thus remains an integral part of the Czech internet, and its future is still full of opportunities.
Frequently asked questions
What is the main difference between Seznam and Google?
Seznam is a localized search engine focused primarily on the Czech market and its specifics. Unlike Google, which has a global focus, Seznam provides content and services tailored to Czech users—for example, faster domestic news or integration with Czech businesses and services.
What is Seznam’s market share in the Czech search market?
Seznam still holds a strong position in the Czech market, even though Google is the dominant global player. Seznam regularly reports a share of approximately 15-20% in Czech search, which makes it a strong competitor even compared to the global giant.
How does Seznam’s search algorithm work?
Seznam’s search algorithm is based on analyzing the relevance and authority of individual websites, similar to Google. It uses various factors such as backlinks, on-page content, site structure, and other signals that help determine the order of search results.