Internet Searching Tips

Section I. Links to Internet Search Tools
Section II. Internet Searching Tips & Links to Search Tutorials/Guides

Section I: Internet Search Tools

In this section you will find links to a sampling of poplar Internet search tools. The search services we have selected include:

basic keyword search engines
search engine services that offer both keyword searching and browseable subject directory listings
metasearch engines (also known as multi-engine searchers)

Links to Internet Search Services . . .

Keyword Search Engines + Browseable Subject Directories

These keyword search engines allow you to find information on the Internet by typing in "keywords" that represent your topic(s) of interest. With many of the search services you have the option to browse through lists of Internet resources grouped by subject categories. The Yahoo! search service offers one of the most well known and frequently used subject directories. Enter a question in plain English and Jeeves searches its knowledgebase of already researched questions, and returns several possible question matches.	About AltaVista AskJeeves All the Web Excite Google HotBot Hotsheet Librarian's Index to the Internet Looksmart Lycos Open Directory Metacrawler Thomas Global Register Yahoo!

Meta-Search Engines
Metasearchers allow you to run a search on multiple search engines from a single search screen. The searches are run simultaneously or in quick succession. Many of the search engines introduced above can also be searched via these meta-search interfaces.	Beaucoop! Dogpile Ixquick Metacrawler Search IQ

'Invisible Web' Searches
Many people are unaware that most of the authoritative information accessible over the Internet is invisible to search engines like AltaVista, HotBot, and Google. This invaluable material resides on "The Invisible Web," which is largely comprised of content-rich databases from universities, libraries, associations, businesses, and government agencies around the world.	C ompletePlanet.com Invisible-Web.net Librarians Index to the Internet Search Engine Watch Research Buzz

Section II: Internet Searching Tips & Links to Search Tutorials/Guides

Most Internet search engines offer online instructions or help menus to assist searchers. These instructions and search tips are usually accessible from the search engine's initial search screen. (You may also scroll down to the table below for direct access to the online instructions provided by the search engines introduced in Section I.)

Because each search service is unique (both in terms of the Web resources it provides access to and the searching techniques it requires), we recommend that you experiment with the various search engines. Identify your favorites and then acquaint yourself with specific search techniques necessary to obtain the best results. Once you have mastered the search protocol for one engine, keep in mind that the same searching techniques may not work equally well with another engine. The differences between the various search engines can have a big impact on your search results.

To learn more about the different search engines and their searching idiosyncrasies, you may also find it helpful to consult one or more of the following search guides:

A Sampling of Internet Search Guides

Finding Information on the Internet: A Tutorial

The Teaching Library of the University of California, Berkeley, makes the content of its Internet workshops available to the public via this web site. The tutorial offers excellent background information for Net searchers, including:
- The "Best" Search Engines:
- Meta-Search Engines
InfoPeople: Search Tools
Search Engine Guide
Search Engine Showdown: The User's Guide to Web Searching

Direct Links to Online Instructions
Offered by the Search Engine Services

Collegewide Library Resources

Internet Searching Tips

Collegewide
Library Resources