Searching the Internet

Some people say searching the internet is like looking for a needle in a haystack.

They're wrong.

It's harder.

Given a big enough magnet, you can find a needle in a haystack. Searching the internet is more like looking for one particular straw in a haystack... a whole lot harder. And while one straw may be much like another, settling for one website because it was easy to find often means missing out on some of the best information that's available.

Crucially, internet searching depends on personal judgement. What is BETTER or WORSE for YOUR needs?

Before You Start, Remember the Rule of 3

Rule of Three -- Always Check At Least 3 Search Engines or Directories

Search at least 3 different search engines and/or directories using your combinations of search terms.

Why? Because no 2 search engines or directories will return the same results for the same search request.

Search engines use complex formulas that calculate factors, such as the number and location of keywords, links, coded data, and sometimes, whether or not a sponsor has paid for a certain position in searches on some subjects, in determining results.
Directories are compiled by human editors who make different choices for differing reasons.

Internet Searching Isn't Just About Search Engines

Several tools and techniques make finding information easier. Click on the links to see searching tips as well as examples of tools in each category

*Search Tools*	*What They Are and How They Work*	*Examples*
Search Engines	Users plug in keywords and then return lists of sites based on those terms	Google, Ask, Live Search
Metasearch Engines	A super search engine — runs keywords through several search engines at once and returns the results in a single list	Clusty, Surfwax, Dogpile
Directories	Directories categorize information letting users narrow down their topics by means of a series of choices until they arrive at a list of sites in the final category	Yahoo, DMOZ, About
Invisible Web Search Tools	Search engines and directories designed to identify other search engines, databases, and other "invisible" web resources rather than individual web sites	Complete Planet
Online Libraries	Collections of resources and links assembled by professional researchers, librarians, or specialists in a certain subject areas	Internet Public Library, RefDesk, Librarians' Index to the Internet

In addition to the right tools, experienced researchers also learn techniques that can make searching in both electronic databases and on the internet more effective. Take a look at some of these strategies on Searching Tips and Tricks.

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©Ruth B. Lindemann, 2002 Danville Area Community College
1/14/03
Revised 11/22/06