What is a search engine?

These are tools on the World Wide Web used to locate web pages.

What's the difference between them?

One difference is size. Some databases index hundreds of millions of pages, while some may only index a few million. Another difference is the way you are allowed to search. Some have only one search option, while others offer simple and advanced searches. There are other search language differences such as case sensitivity (whether or not you should capitalize), word proximity, Boolean operators, natural language, truncation, etc.

How do I know what searching features are available?

Each service includes Help screens.

Are these the only search engines there are?

There are many available on the WWW. We've selected a few popular ones for you to use. If you'd like to explore some others, you can find a good list at Search Engine Watch. For a breakdown of the different features offered by search engines look on the University at Albany Libraries' Guide to Search Engines.

What is a directory?

A directory takes web pages and organizes them by subject and subheading. Real human beings actually look at the pages and classify them, as opposed to searchable indexes which use electronic "robot" programs to gather pages. It's a great place to browse or find lots of the same type of pages grouped together.

Can I search a directory?

Yes. The search option is usually not as powerful as those used for a searchable index, but if you're looking for a broad topic, they'll usually point you in the right direction.

What if I still do not know which one to use?

If you're looking for something broad, such as websites on genealogy or job searching, your best bet is a directory. If you need something more specific -- the lines to a poem or the home page of a business -- try a searchable index's search engine instead.