Featured Article - Search Engine or Directory?

When most people want to find something on the Internet, their first thought is to start with a search engine. What many people don't realize is that there are actually very few search engines left. Today, most of the sites that are thought of as "search engines" are really directories. There are some fundamental differences in the two.

You can recognize a directory easily, because you will be able to search by categories, refining your search as you go. If you are looking for information on tropical flowers, you could use a directory such as LookSmart. In the categories in the middle of the page, you'd see "gardening" in the Lifestyle section. After you click on "gardening", you would continue refining your search by clicking on still more specific categories until you get to the information you want. The benefit of using a directory in this way is that you can browse the various sites in case you're not exactly sure what you are looking for. Many times, you will find categories that branch off into other areas that are helpful, but that you hadn't considered before. In this regard, a directory is like the table of contents of a book. It gives you general information about your subject, but you still have to do the digging yourself. You can also search a directory by the search box on the directory's main page, but then it functions more like a search engine. At that point, the directory will show you sites it thinks you want to see based on the search term you entered. 

A search engine, on the other hand, is just a huge index of websites, not grouped in any particular way. When you go to a true search engine such as Google, you will search only by using the search box. It will then give you the most relevant sites according to the search term or terms you entered. It is important to remember that the more specific your request, the more accurate the answer. For example, you would do much better and save time if you searched by "Bromeliad propagation techniques", than if you search by "flowers" or even "tropical flowers". Some search engines are better than others at returning relevant information when you search. They all have different methods of deciding what's most relevant.

Lastly, you should know that there are very few remaining true directories or true search engines. In actuality, most are now a combination of the two. Additionally, many engines and directories use the information of other engines and directories to supplement their own databases. If you were to search for something on Yahoo, for example, it may suggest sites from it's own directory or from Google's search engine database, or both. Many engines and directories license information from others.

I have given a very simplified explanation on search engines and directories, and there are many other factors that affect the relevance of their returns, the size of their databases and how well they may work for the searcher. You should try several different engines and directories to see which works best for you. If you have a website, it's important that you are listed in the major engines and directories so that others can find your site.

Keep an eye out for our next newsletter where I will give several low-cost or free ways to generate traffic and promote your web site!

- Angela Shinall

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