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Search the Web
Search Engines | Metasearch Engines | Internet Directories
SEARCH ENGINES
Google
Certainly the best known, with dozens of added features like image searching, maps and shopping. Extensive advanced search capabilities allow fine-tuning for better results
Yahoo!
Fiercely competitive with Google -- but includes a popular e-mail functionality. Front page is designed to short-circuit many common searches with instant access.
AltaVista
One of the oldest search engines -- with an outstanding translation function -- Babelfish.
Ask.com
Started out as Ask Jeeves -- first engine to use natural language searching.
Exalead
Allows users to personalize the interface. Thumbnail images of results.
bing.com
New search engine from Microsoft, replacing Live Search. Offers categories: Images, Videos, Shopping, News, Maps, and Travel. Still evolving.
Gigablast
Identifies itself as the "search with attitude" that is eco-friendly. Freshness dating is one of their major attributes.
Lycos
Another large search engine with e-mail & news portal.
SurfWax
Providing the "best use" of relevant search results.
Why use a single search engine when you can use a Meta? All web search engines are based on algorithms --complex series of lexical orders -- when they are combined, they may actually compete/delete results from some searches. Combining results from two or more engines assures the researcher of a more complete list of informative websites.
METASEARCH ENGINES
Combining results ...
Yippy
Results are clustered into clouds, making it easy to focus your search
Info.com
Includes results from 14 different search engines, including Google and Ask.com
Excite
The portal is unique, including mail and news features, but the search results are similar to Info.com
Mamma
One of the oldest metasearch engines, includes both general and subject specialized search engines
Dogpile
Offers the ability to customize the list of engines searched
Search.com
From CNet, can be tech heavy in responses. Includes a "narrow your search" feature
IxQuick
Results are culled from the Top Ten results in other engines. Easy access to foreign language interfaces & results
INTERNET DIRECTORIES
Directories place websites into categories. The websites are selected according to the policies of the group that creates the directory. Directories can lead you quickly to the best or most relevant sites on your topic. Search engines tend to return a large number of results with the most popular or best matches for your words at the top; directories return fewer but often better results. Most directories include a search feature in addition to category browsing.
Open Directory
"The largest human constructed search directory." Volunteer editors screen the websites.
Librarians’ Internet Index (see IPL2)
Best of the Web
Includes interactive ratings for websites
Intute
“Helping you find the best websites for study and research.” This easy-to-browse directory has a British slant, but also includes links to U.S. and other websites, tutorials, and blogs.
EiNet
One of the oldest searchable Internet directories (formerly known as Galaxy), includes ratings and user-generated reviews
Internet Public Library (see IPL2)
IPL2
Sites are selected for quality non-commercial information content. Brief descriptions and subject headings. Formed by the merger of Librarians' Internet Index and Internet Public Library.
About.com
Extensive directory with encyclopedia-type information written by subject "guides" -- but be prepared for lots of advertising including pop-ups.
BUBL Link
A very extensive directory of scholarly websites. Search by keyword (but be aware of British spelling) or browse by subject and Dewey Decimal Classification.
Best Information on the Net
St. Ambrose University Library’s pick of the best websites. Can browse alphabetically or by topic, college major, or "hot topics" for research papers.
Library Guides
Don’t forget our own directory, compiled by STLCC librarians!