Search
engine is one of the most important tools for
finding information from worldwide web. Some understanding
on how they work can help you get the maximum
out of them.
Please note, our earlier series on
Search Engines was on how to get top placement
in search engine result. This series on search
engine is from information retrieval point of
view.
You will find four main types of retrieval
tools in the WWW:
-
Directory type search
engine
-
Spider based search engines
-
Meta Search Engines
-
Databases driven retrieval An
understanding of how each of them work is
crucial for retrieving right information at
right time.
Directory
Type Search Engine
This type of search engines list websites
under categories (sometimes called category database).
They have large number of categories to fit all
kinds of webpages. Largely managed by human beings,
the two outstanding features of any directory
are accuracy and selectivity.
Directories are extremely selective
about webpages to be accepted. A directory will
not list your URL and will never become aware
of your site unless you register with them. They
do not make use of spiders or robots that crawl
the web looking for new sites.
As a result - you will find only a
handful of sites under each category.
This selective approach makes sure
that search in a directory produces only a few
relevant webpages unlike spider based ones that
list thousands. T
he most famous directory type search
engine is Yahoo!
Few Facts
About Directory Type Search Engine
-
Search result is usually highly
accurate and selective. You can easily go
through all websites listed in a category.
Often, starting point in a long and exploratory
search.
-
The results are usually listed
in alphabetical order rather than on degree
of relevance.
-
An understanding of categories
can help you quickly zero-in to required websites.
Presence or absence of keyword is not critical
in category search.
-
If you are looking for a very
specific subject, Directories may not be the
right retrieval tool.
-
If you are submitting your site
to a directory, decide on right category and
description first. Prepare to wait for weeks
before your website gets listed. Do not get
disheartened if your site is not accepted
- keep trying
-
Successful listing in a directory
like Yahoo! will certainly lead to more traffic
on your site.
-
Using a directory-cum-search
engine like the Yahoo! Google gets you best
of both worlds !
We shall discuss other retrieval tools
in forthcoming issues.
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