by Linda G. Hull

Created on: December 10, 2008   Last Updated: November 28, 2011

The internet is a useful tool in finding an amazing array of information. The best way to sort through millions of pages of information is through the use of a search engine. Using search engines effectively is very easy once you understand how search engines work and learn some easy-to-follow tips.

Search Engines

There are many search engines available to help you find information on the internet. The most popular are Google, Yahoo, and MSN. One of the newest search engines is called Cuil. Others like Ask Jeeves, Ask, AltaVista, Lycos, and others which are less known are geared to specific types of information such as government documents. Some search engines such as Monster.com, which is a job database search engine, search directories or databases. There are also other search engines limited to a particular country. Google, by far the largest search engine, is the one most commonly used.

How Search Engines Work

Search engines use software robots called spiders to index websites and words found on websites. The indexed websites and words are stored in a database, waiting to be retrieved upon receipt of a query. The internet is not static, for websites are continuously being updated and the spiders are constantly looking for more websites to index. The amount of information stored varies between search engines.

Using Key Words

Finding the retrieved information is dependent upon using the correct key words. Key words are the criteria by which the search engine accesses information. The relevance of the keyword determines whether the retrieved information will meet your need.

The first step in searching for information online is to go to your internet browser window. There you will find a search form box where you will enter your key words, then click the enter key on your keyboard or the search button on your search engine toolbar. This submits your query or key words to the search engine. The search engine sorts through its vast database of words and sites matching the results with your keywords. The best matches are placed first on the results page, with lesser matches following.

The Results Page

At the top of the results page are the sponsored websites that have paid for that particular position on the result page. These advertisers contribute key advertising revenue to the search engines. Other ads, such as "Google Ads" are placed by advertisers. Each time someone clicks on one of these ads, the search engine collects a fee from the advertiser.

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