The short answer's yes, but a better answer depends entirely on what you're looking for.

While Google seems to be huge and generally finds general info, keep in mind that the top results aren't necessarily the best. The top results are there because the website owners knew how to get up there.

On top of this - Google isn't human. It can't log into some huge sites and show you what's inside. More than 99% of the information on the internet can't be seen on Google - this is called the Deep Web. If what you're after is in the Deep Web, then the best place to look is inside a directory.

To see what's in your local library, you'd use the search on the library's website. This search will "browse the shelves", while Google won't.

To find something nearby, you want to use a local directory. Try entering the name of your town, the thing you're looking for, and the word "directory". Sometimes the Yellow Pages will get it for you, or there may even be a directory of local musicians for your town. Yahoo has a huge number of these directories often grouped by location or interest. These will narrow your query much better than Google, which is searching the whole world.

There are also search engined tailored to specific industries. More than a thousand of them deal almost exclusive with paid advertising and marketing.

Then there are other engines specifically for certain needs. There are engines for brides, for business, for cars, for shopping and even for children. Google is kind enough to list the search engines too, so look around for other engines that might meet your needs better for a specific search.

Overall, if the information you need is quite broad and general, Google is likely to meet your needs. It's when you want tailored information about something unusual that you'll need to dig a little deeper. But the results can be well worth it.

Learn more about this author, Eliza Sininen.
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