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searches at the bottom of the result listing, but this tool is fickle, sometimes available and sometimes not. Ask, Axioma, ChaCha, Live Search, WebBrain, and Yahoo all offer some form of refinement tool. Ask offers a list of narrowed and expanded results, while Axioma, ChaCha, Live Search, and Yahoo offer related searches and related words. WebBrain is perhaps the most capable in identifying related search topics, however with a lesser result listing it may be better to use WebBrain in conjunction with another search engine.

Another problem related to the popular results provided on Google is the reliability of those results. Where Google offers no tools against this problem Axioma, Clusty, and Rollyo do. Axioma and Clusty provide a grouping tool which will display only the results of a specified domain, allowing the freedom to view .com, .org, .edu, .gov, or other domain types separately. Rollyo takes this utility further by allowing its users to select the specific websites to search. Tools of this nature are useful for anyone who makes reliability and trustworthiness a priority.

Often, research is simple once started, but extremely difficult to start. The problem could be not knowing where to begin or not knowing what terms to use, and searches are frequently penned too broadly or not enough so. When such a problem arises, it is convenient to have a more experienced or perhaps more canny researcher help you. Cleverly, the ChaCha search engine created one possible solution in their 'chat live with a guide,' tool. While this may not always solve the problem, it is a useful alternative where Google offers nothing.

While to many the concern is the number of results and the speed at which the results appear, to knowledgeable researchers, whether student, parent, employer, or otherwise, the former combined with the latter produce a most undesirable effect. Research is best when the results are specific to the need. When too many results appear too quickly, research is certainly harmed. It is important to know what to search for, be able to view the most pertinent and reliable information, and be able to hone searches and expand them as needed. These are problems for which Google has no provision.

Google has its place in the vast sea of search engines, but other viable engines exist that are better than Google in numerous instances. Search engines can aid in initiating a search, such as with ChaCha and WebBrain. Axioma, Clusty, and Rollyo allow you to separate and choose results, providing reliable and trustworthy matches. Many alternative search engines provide ways to refine your searches. Google's popularity acts advantageously at times, but often the opposite is true.

In the end, it is perhaps best to use multiple search engines dependant on the need. Many options exist and should be used to optimize your internet browsing. Try some other search engines and find those that are best suited to you. Why settle for Google alone when many viable search engines can provide the tools you need to succeed on the internet?

Learn more about this author, Brandon Davis.
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