| 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.
Related Links:
Source: FAIDA
- Newsletter on Business Opportunties from India and Abroad
Vol: 3, Issue 9
June 20' 2002
Author :
Dr. Amit K. Chatterjee
(Amit worked in blue-chip Indian and MNCs for 15 years in various
capacities like Research and Information Analysis, Market Development,
MIS, R&D Information Systems etc. before starting his e-commerce
venture in 1997. The views expressed in this columns are of
his own. He may be reached at amit@infobanc.com
) |
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