Ask.com is adding new tools to define a geographic search area by drawing on a map to its AskCity local search product. The search-enabled drawing tools allow a user to highlight a given area on the map, and then search within that area. Tools include a square, circle, and polygon tool, to define areas of different shapes.
When AskCity launched in December, Ask included features to annotate, save and share information on its maps, as well as “pin” results on the map, so they will remain on the map while the user continues searching for other locations, or builds an itinerary.