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home | resources | Research Guides | internet search engines

Internet Search Engines

• Search Engine Portal

There are four basic search methods to help a searcher isolate relevant information or resources on the Internet. Following is a brief list of some of the search methods and tools currently available for searching the Web.

TIP: Before using a search tool go to the help or information page on their Web site and find out the specifics about that tools search features. The various directories and engines can differ greatly so this can save you a lot of time and frustration and help to optimize your results!

Method:

• 1. Search Engine - Searches the Web with software using keywords chosen by searcher.
• 2. Web/Subject Directory - Organized collection of Web sites categorized by subject areas.
  
  • Open Model depends on volunteer editors
    
  • Closed Model assembled by skilled professionals
• 3. Meta-Search Engine - Searches multiple search engines and other Internet sources with a single query.
• 4. Federated Search Engine - allow users to search multiple data sources with a single query from a single user interface.

Note: For a comprehensive discussion of the various search engines and directories available including search strategies, reviews, search features, statistics and comparisons go to Search Engine Showdown.

Tools:

• Google
• Ask
• AltaVista
• Excite
• GigaBlast
• GO.com
• Live Search
• Exalead

Web Directories or Subject Directories have the advantage of using human-selected resources as opposed to the sites that are returned by search engines which are selected and ranked using software. These directories are topically arranged and classified to facilitate easier searching.

Web Directories:

• Yahoo! - Largest subject database on the Web. Easy to use.
• LookSmart - One of the largest databases. Includes LookSmart Live's personal answers.
• Open Directory Project (ODP) – Open directory. Human edited Web Directory.
• Librarian’s Internet Index – Closed directory assembled by industry experts

Meta-search engines can be a valuable tool for retrieving information from the internet, but should be used with caution. Many only retrieve the top 10-50 returns from each search engine which may exclude many relevant sites. At this time meta-search engines generally offer no advanced search capabilities and none search Northern Light.

Meta-Search Engines:

• Dogpile - Provides means to compare results of various search engines.
• Mamma – The mother of all search engines.
• Surfwax – Helps you get the best grip on information.
• Ixquick – Searches MSN, Yahoo, Ask, Altavista, Wisenut.

Image Search Engines:

• Flickr – Search and share photos
• Pixsy – Search Images and videos
• Google Image

Other Search Engines:

• Clusty - Federated Search Engine.
• Pagebull – Visual Internet Search Engine
• Icerocket – Blog Search
• Ms. Dewey – Semi-Interactive search engine. *requires flash player.

TIP: Recent studies have shown that there is very little overlap or duplication among the various search tools and only a small percentage of available Web sites are actually retrieved by search engines. To compensate for this it is a good idea to repeat your search using several different tools, even when using meta-search engines.