Search
Search Engine Websites
There are hundreds of search engines available on the web. Those provided here are among the major ones as listed on Search Engine Watch and Search Engine Showdown and their descriptions are based heavily upon the information given in those sites. For more detailed information, including recent news, reviews, searching tips and categorical listings of even more search engines, please consult those web sites.
These are based primarily on information obtained from "spiders" that crawl the web and bring back information. Listings are then produced automatically.
Google - This remains the most popular of the search engines, Google combines comprehensive coverage with a high degree of relevancy in its results.
Yahoo - Yahoo still retains a subject directory of popular sites chosen by their staff but also has full search capabilities.
All the Web - This site now uses the same search technology as Yahoo, but has a somewhat cleaner layout.
Alta Vista - One of the oldest of the search engines. While no longer as comprehensive as many of its rivals, it does still provide a strong image and news search service.
Ask - Searches rely upon subject specific popularity which they call ExpertRank. Link analysis is done differently than in Google, so this search engine may give you some alternative listings.
These provide results from indexes compiled by people who choose the sites.
About.com - A network of sites compiled by expert guides. It will list any expert pages available as well as results using the Inktomi database and search engine.
Internet Public Library Subject Collection - Includes links under 10 different subjects plus a ready reference category. Although fewer sites are included than in some of the other ready reference sites.
Librarians' Index to the Internet - Links point to an extensive collection with lengthy annotations, a hierarchical organization and search capability.
MSN Search - Simple search gives primarily results from the search engine database Inktomi although some MSN content and sponsored ads may precede those results.
Open Directory Project - A catalog of the web compiled by volunteer editors. Lycos, AltaVista and HotBot are among the sites that utilize this database.
These conduct searches on several different search engines simultaneously and then consolidate the results.
CNet Search - Search results are derived from over 1,000 search engines, Web directories, auctions, storefronts, news sources, discussion groups, and reference sites.
Dogpile - Sends a search to a customizable list of search engines, directories and specialty search sites, then displays results from each search engine individually.
Ixquick - Ranks results based on the number of "top 10" rankings a site receives from the various search engines.
MetaCrawler - One of the oldest meta search services.
SurfWax - Searches the major search engines - or searches hundreds if you open a free account.
Vivisimo - Organizes responses from major search engines into convenient categories.
These allow you to find pictures, images, video and sound files or other special types of information. None are comprehensive so you may want to use several for a more complete search.
All the Web - Pictures - Provides small photos showing the results. Click on the photo to view the site. By using the tabs you may also choose to search audio, video, FTP files or news sites.
AltaVista - Image Search - Lets you find photos, images, audio and video clips from all over the web. Search results feature thumbnails of images found.
Ditto - Search or browse to find images on the web. Matches are displayed in thumbnail format.
Find Sounds - Search for sound effects and musical instrument samples.
Google Groups - Formerly Deja News. This contains the entire archive of Usenet discussion groups dating back to 1981. It enables users to access this information providing relevant results from a database containing more than 700 million posts.
Google Images - Provides thumbnail views of images. Clicking on the image gives a larger view on top of the screen and the context within the site of origin at the bottom. The frame can be removed.
Lycos Multimedia - Allows search for pictures, video, audio and MP3 individually or in combinations of your choice.
Spanish Language Search Engines - Links to four search engines: Lycos, Yahoo, El Mundo Latino and QuePasa.com (which uses Inktomi for its searches).
These use human beings to filter out sites that might be considered objectionable for viewing by children.
Ask for Kids - Formerly "Ask Jeeves For Kids", this is now simply the "Ask" search engine described above under "true search engines", with results chosen for appropriateness.
Awesome Library - K-12 Education Directory - Over 19, 000 reviewed resources arranged by subject. Includes areas for teens, parents, teachers and librarians.
Librarians Guide to Cyberspace - Great Sites! - Sites chosen specifically for children by a committee of the American Library Association. Also includes a section with sites for parents, teachers and other caregivers.
Yahooligans! - Yahoo for kids, designed for ages 7 to 12. Sites are hand-picked to be appropriate. Unlike normal Yahoo, searches will not be forwarded to Yahoo's search engine partner if there is no match from within the Yahooligan listings.
KidsClick! - Backed by librarians, this lists about 5,000 web sites in various categories.
