Searching the World Wide Web

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As we have noted, search engines are very popular information resources. A search engine is a specialized online program that continually visits Web pages and indexes what is found. When you enter a search term, the engine searches millions of Web pages to find the best matches for the term.29 Results are sorted in an effort to make them more useful. Some engines organize the results by listing them according to specific criteria—such as how frequently your search term is used, how often a search term of more than one word occurs together, or whether a search term appears in the title or near the top of a page.30 Other engines list sites based on how many other sites link to them. But beware—a search engine may prioritize sponsored sites. If so, carefully consider the sponsor’s credibility. You may also want to try more than one search engine.

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Which search engine is best for you? Try several and compare their features and functionality. You can also check online for reviews of engines that highlight key features and provide updates as more features become available. The most frequently used search engines are Google, Bing, and Yahoo!31

How can you improve the quality of your search? Here are a few suggestions:

A Web directory is a searchable index compiled by human editors who review Web sites and index them into subject categories and subcategories. Because editors read each page, evaluate its quality, and place it in an appropriate category, you are more likely to find quality sources with this resource. Search engines, on the other hand, can cover more Web sites than a human being could possibly cover in the same amount of time.32 Because search engines and Web directories have different strengths, it is helpful to use both in your research.

Your search can benefit by checking out two directories maintained by universities: ipl2 (Internet Public Library 2, www.ipl.org), which is hosted by colleges with information science programs and includes an “ask a librarian” feature, and Infomine (www.infomine.ucr.edu), which was built by university librarians and focuses on resources relevant to college students and faculty.