What is a Search Engine?
Search engines are Internet directories that enable you
to link to millions of Web sites that can potentially contain the information
you are looking for. When you enter a keyword or phrase, the search
engine sorts through the sites it has listed to find the ones that match
your search request. Search engines do not all list the same web
sites. Some have more than others and some specialize in certain
types of sites. Not every site that a search engine turns up will
be useful to you. Experiment with enclosing the search in quotes.
This will limit your search to Web sites that have the particular phrase
within them rather than just one of the words within the phrase.
Most search engines will give you the top ten matches it finds, but will
allow you to view the rest of the listings if you choose. Each of
the search engines has its strengths and weaknesses. Using these
tools is the only way to gain experience and determine which is best for
your needs.
Updated: April 01, 2008
