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Search
Engines
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In the search engines choice review we look at the choice of search engines available
today, along with their results, speed
and features. We then select the best
performers in a top 10 directory and
review our top choices.
The new generation of search engines offer much more than just search by key
words, with the latest search capabilities
including searching specifically for pictures, audio, newsgroups, FTP and other media files.
They also include new features like content control filters.
relevancy
of results...
When all is said and done
though, the most important feature of a search engine is still the relevancy of results, and that is a function of the size and quality of a search engines database
along with the accuracy of their algorithm.
Technology plays a major part in this relevancy of results, and for that reason we have seen many changes in the key search engine players.
Unlike most other markets, the leaders in the field of search have changed almost
constantly throughout the development of this
market. This is largely due to the
ongoing advent of new and better
search technology.
As this new and better technology is adopted, the key players change their strategy in an
endeavor to keep up. As a result we are now seeing some major portals move
from their own in-house search engines
to search functions powered by the
best technology available from
external search engines.
The end result is better search relevancy for all users, and
we will all benefit from this constantly improving technology.
So where do we benefit most from this
technology today, and which search engines give
the best results? This choice
review looks at the top choices in
search engines today. We have taken the top
10 search engines and evaluated
and ranked them from a user
perspective, looking mainly for relevancy of results, speed and worthwhile advanced features.
Choice Review suggests:
Choose a
search engine with a high degree of
result relevancy if you don't use one
already, and save yourself all that
time you used to spend sifting through
page after page of related but not
relevant results.
If you
are still not getting the search
relevancy you want, have a look at the
keywords you are using. As a general
principle the more specific your
keywords, the more specific your
results. Try adding one or more words
that describe or define what you are
looking for in more detail. Over time
you will probably develop a
"feel" for the keywords that
will yield the best results for your
search engine of choice.
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 1ST
CHOICE
Google
Despite a relatively late entry into the search engine field in 1999, Google rapidly rose to its current
position as the leader in search. The reason for this
quick increase in popularity
was the relevance of its results. That relevancy is still Google's main
feature today, thanks to their
constantly evolving algorithm which
makes their results more relevant with
each update.
Using it's unique in-house PageRank technology and
link popularity measures as part of
this algorithm, Google achieves consistently relevant
results has now been adopted by a
number of portals as their search
function.
It's low bandwidth front-end is popular with most users
because it's "no-frills" main page loads
quickly without slow-loading graphics
or scripts.
Searches are quick and the resulting page load times short with a minimum of add-ons to slow it
down.
A standard search in most instances will yield very relevant results for the keywords
entered, but an advanced search is also available
for power users and for these
instances where you want to define
exactly how it searches. The majority of users will probably find what they are looking for from a standard
search though, and most likely never need the advanced features.
In addition to its database of Web pages, Google also provides search
in it's own databases of images and usenet newsgroups, along with a Web directory for those who prefer to browse.
A good search experience is all about quick relevant results, and when it comes
to speed and relevancy, Google is the leader in the field.
TOP CHOICE
Alta
Vista
Traditionally one of the
leaders in search engines since it's inception in 1995, AltaVista has seen many changes in its approach to search over the years.
It has used a number of additional databases as well as its own, but has now returned to basing search results primarily on its own
database, and the results seem better
for it.
That database can now be searched using a simple or advanced search with the option of a family filter.
AltaVista also provides search for images, audio files, video files and news databases.
Their regional search engines provide the option of local country or worldwide search in a number of countries. This is one of AltaVista's biggest strengths and the where they lead the field. Their international databases are unmatched and provide the ability to search in a variety of languages.
If
your interest in a search engine has
an international bias, AltaVista could
well be the search of choice for you.
TOP CHOICE
AllTheWeb
AllTheWeb started in 1999 and were previously known as Fast.com until they adopted the AllTheWeb as their main
search identity. The Fast.com identity
is now used more for those portals who
use it as their search function on a
"powered by Fast.com" basis.
They have one of the largest databases of all search engines and their search interface is quick. Their results are up to date thanks to a database which is frequently refreshed.
AllTheWeb also offer search of news, pictures, videos, MP3 and FTP files with the option of advanced search.
Some other advanced features that AllTheWeb offer are language detection, duplicate filtering and offensive content reduction.
Their main
features, however, are speed and
relevancy, which is why they have
rated well in this choice review, and
so far, like Google, AllTheWeb only
seem to get better.
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