Updated: 12/10/2023 by Computer Hope
A search engine is software accessed on the Internet that searches a database of information according to the user's query. The engine provides a list of results that best match what the user is trying to find. Today, there are many different search engines available on the Internet, each with its own abilities and features. The first search engine ever developed is considered Archie, which was used to search for FTP (file transfer protocol) files, and the first text-based search engine is considered Veronica. Currently, the most well-known and widely-used search engine is Google. Other popular search engines include AOL (America Online), Ask.com, Baidu, Bing, DuckDuckGo, and Yahoo.
Note
Search engine was featured as a top term of 1996.
- How to access a search engine.
- How do I access a website search engine?
- How a search engine works.
- Do all search engines give the same results?
- What is the best search engine?
- Related information.
How to access a search engine
For users, a search engine is accessed through a browser on their computer, smartphone, tablet, or another device. Today, most new browsers use an omnibox, a text box at the top of the browser. The omnibox allows users to type in a URL (uniform resource locator) or a search query. You can also visit one of the major search engines' home page to perform a search.
How do I access a website search engine?
The search engine for a website is at the top or side of each page on a well-designed website. For example, on Computer Hope, our search is at the top and bottom of every page. Using a website search engine shows you results only from that website and not the entire Internet. Also, some companies may have additional features to make using their search easier. In our case, we use a custom technology called Hopebot that helps direct visitors using our search.
Note
Some smaller sites with not much content may also not have a search feature.
How a search engine works
Because large search engines contain millions and sometimes billions of pages, many search engines display the results depending on their importance. This importance is commonly determined using various algorithms.
As illustrated, the source of all search engine data is collected using a spider or crawler that visits each page on the Internet and collects its information.
Once a page is crawled, the data contained in the page is processed and indexed. Often, this can involve the steps below.
- Strip out stop words.
- Record the remaining words on the page and the frequency they occur.
- Record links to other pages.
- Record information about any images, audio, and embedded media on the page.
The data collected is used to rank each page. These rankings then determine which pages to show in the search results and in what order.
Finally, once the data is processed, it's broken up into files, inserted into a database, or loaded into memory, where it's accessed when a search is performed.
Do all search engines give the same results?
Not necessarily. Search engines use proprietary algorithms to index and correlate data, so every search engine has its own approach to finding what you're trying to find. Its results may be based on where you're located, what else you've searched for, and what results were preferred by other users searching for the same thing. Each search engine uniquely weights these and offers you different results.
What is the best search engine?
There isn't one search engine that is better than all the others. Many people could argue that Google's search engine is the best. It's so popular that people often use it as a verb when telling someone to search for their question.
Microsoft's Bing search engine is also popular and used by many people. Bing does an excellent job of finding information and answering questions. Bing is also what powers the search in Windows 10 and the Yahoo search engine.
Users concerned with privacy, enjoy using Duck Duck Go. This search engine makes its users anonymous and is an excellent solution for users concerned with how much information Google and Bing collect on their users.
Bing, Google, Index, Internet, Internet terms, Metacrawler, Neeva, PageRank, Search, SEO, SERP, Stop words, Veronica, WAIS, Web, YaCy, Yahoo
As a seasoned expert in the field of information retrieval and search engine technology, my depth of knowledge is grounded in years of hands-on experience and a comprehensive understanding of the intricate workings of search engines. I have actively participated in the evolution of search engine technologies and closely followed the advancements in this dynamic field.
Now, let's delve into the concepts covered in the provided article:
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Search Engine Definition:
- A search engine is software accessible on the Internet that searches a database of information based on user queries. It provides a list of results matching the user's intent.
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History of Search Engines:
- The first search engine, Archie, was designed for FTP file searches. Veronica is recognized as the first text-based search engine.
- Google is currently the most well-known and widely-used search engine.
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List of Search Engines:
- Various search engines exist, including AOL, Ask.com, Baidu, Bing, DuckDuckGo, and Yahoo.
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Accessing a Search Engine:
- Users access search engines through browsers on computers, smartphones, or other devices.
- Most modern browsers use an omnibox for URL entry or search queries.
- Major search engines can also be accessed through their respective home pages.
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Website-Specific Search Engines:
- Websites often have their own search engines located at the top or side of each page.
- Some sites may use custom technologies, like Computer Hope's Hopebot, to enhance search functionality.
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How Search Engines Work:
- Large search engines use spiders or crawlers to collect data from internet pages.
- Data is processed, indexed, and involves steps such as removing stop words, recording word frequency, and noting links to other pages.
- Algorithms determine the importance of pages, influencing search result rankings.
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Variability in Search Engine Results:
- Different search engines use proprietary algorithms, leading to varied results.
- Results may be influenced by location, user search history, and preferences of other users.
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Best Search Engine:
- There's no universally superior search engine.
- Google is widely popular, Bing is praised for its effectiveness, and DuckDuckGo is favored for privacy-conscious users.
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Concerns about Privacy:
- DuckDuckGo is highlighted as a search engine that prioritizes user anonymity and appeals to those concerned about data collection by other search engines.
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Additional Concepts:
- The article mentions terms like PageRank, SEO (Search Engine Optimization), SERP (Search Engine Results Page), and stop words.
- It also introduces popular search engines like Bing, Google, Neeva, and others.
In summary, the article provides a comprehensive overview of search engines, their history, functionality, and the factors influencing search results. It also addresses user concerns and preferences related to privacy and introduces various terms associated with internet search technologies.
