What are some strategies for choosing the best search engine?

Answer 1

This question is in reference to search engines, not Web Browsers.

SE's run on Database and Software technology that are closely guarded trade secrets.

There is publicly avail. information about them like "Google uses a database trademarked BigTable that is distributed across at least 10,000 data centers" ..."it may or may not use relational databases," --It HAS to cache common and new search terms which is likely accomplished semantically. How often, when, where and how it does this remains unknown. The system is so dynamic-- debugging is a daily task and like any distributed processor is vulnerable to a virus-however we cannot verify that.

(as opposed to browsers-which run locally: easy to verify and fix but OT)

You will find that each SE returns very different results I had a preference for MetaCrawler's ability to search ALL search engines. I now have a preference for Google because I have had an account for some time so their system keeps a record of all the things I'm likely to search for and can return the most relevant results (to me specifically) in the least amount of time.

Cool technology...also a bit creepy.

However, if you sign up with ask or Yahoo etc...they can do the same thing...just in a different way.

Consider narrowing your choice down as opposed to choosing. If you know exactly what you are looking for like "who was that guy who was in that movie?" you only need one. For research purposes it's worth it to plug the same search term into three or more different SE's....the variety of results you'll get reduces any bias in the machines, people or advertising $ that powers them.

Answer 2

"One strategy is to go by the reviews you find on the search engine. Another strategy would be to try them all and see which one you like best. Another strategy is to use a main one you are comfortable with, but have a few back-up search engines you use in case you can not find what you are looking for with your main search engine."

Answer 3

Choose a search engine that you feel comfortable and safe with. Make sure it is virus free and DO NOT download too many toolbars. I recommend Google Chrome. Search.