Some Facts About Search Engines

Types of Search Engines:

• Subject Directories are not true Search Engines. They list broad subject categories and allow the Web searcher to browse through lists of Web sites by subject to narrow the search. They lead the searcher to general information about a subject rather than a specific piece of information.

• Search Engines have a Search Box that allows the searcher to enter key words or phrases into the box. Some allow the searcher to use natural language which means you can type a complete question or query into the box just as you would ask it without worrying about finding keywords. The Search Engine  then returns lists of Web sites that may contain the information you are looking for. These are listed in order of the most likely match to your key words. You click on each Web site until you find the information you are searching for.

• MetaSearch Engines use multiple engines simultaneously. Some even display the results in split screens showing several different engines. They are very fast and are good for searching for obscure information.

• Subject-Specific Search Engines focus on searching in a specific area or type of resource. For example, there are image, audio, and video Search Engines that look only for those kinds of files. Some meta search engines have special search features that allow the searcher to look for  those kinds of files also.

After you press the search or go buttons, you will see  a list of "hits" or Web sites that the Search Engine thinks will contain the answer to your question. Various Search Engines will find different numbers of sites. A good Search Engine will locate the answer in  one of  the first 3 sites it lists. If it does not, you can continue to click on the remaining sites until you find what you are looking for.

Care must be taken when searching on the Internet. When you are searching for educational material, you should use sites that are filtered for educational use. They eliminate non-educational  matches that do not pertain to the topic you are researching. For example, if you are looking for information on pythons, filters will remove information about TV personality Monty Python. This can also be done through search techniques. Filters also eliminate adult material from being listed in your Web sites. Check your Search Engine before you type in a query to see if it is filtered. There is usually information concerning filters on the home page or in preferences in the menu.