Search Engines
Search engines are special programs that maintain huge databases of keywords from Internet sites. There are two types of search engines: Individual and MetaSearch. Individual search engines (a few of which are listed below) compile their own searchable databases on the Internet. MetaSearch engines do not compile databases. Instead, they search the databases of multiple sets of individual engines simultaneously.
For more search engines or to see the "IQ" of current search engines, go to SearchIQ. Searchability.com maintains a list specialty search engines.
MetaSearch Engines
| One of the first and most commonly used meta search engines, Dogpile searches 3 databases at a time and then asks if you want to search more. | |
| Ixquick | This meta search engine is fast, comprehensive and ranks findings by relevance! Searches 14 engines. |
| MetaCrawler | Metacrawler simultaneously searches 12 of the Internet's leading search engines. Has the option to sort results by relevance, by source search engine, or by originating site. |
| Metor | Fast and comprehensive metasearch engine. Metor with its easy to navigate clean layout searches the top ten search engine databases, eliminates redundant listings providing highly relevant listings and live listings. |
| Queryserver | A set of metasearch engines that provides user options to customize results and groups findings by topic. Easy to use, providing highly relevant listings from the ten search engines it covers and it organizes the findings into logical groupings. |
Individual
Search Engines
| Good for general queries and individual brand name companies. | |
| Very comprehensive engine best suited for broad searches | |
| HotBot | One of the better individual search engines and includes advanced search options on the homepage – best used for specific searches. |
| Northern Light | Great use of folders to organize related topics which eliminating the appearance of multiple and or redundant listings from the same site. |