When was the last time you searched the web without using Google?

After years at the top of the search engine pile, Google has become synonymous with the internet istelf. Its ease of use and its wide range of functions have made it a household name. For many people, Google is the only search engine and the only means to find information online.

There are however hundreds of other search engines out there, many of which are equal or better than Google.

Google can be regarded as a ‘catch-all’ search engine that aims to cater for most information needs, and this broad scope is largely the reason for its popularity. But because of the way Google searches the web and the way it displays its results, there is a risk that users miss out on a lot of valuable information.

The problem is that Google conducts its searches by associating relevance with popularity. This is not always ideal; popularity of an online resource does not necessarily mean it is the most suitable source of information or that it will be relevant to all user’s particular needs.

Searching the web using different search engines will inevitably provide different results right across the board; search results shown in one engine might not always show up in another. Try it for yourself: see how much results vary between search engines (e.g  Google vs Yahoo!  or Bing! vs Ask). Thus, it makes sense to use multiple search engines in your information seeking.

Some search engines are subject specific, tailor made to a specific information need. Others simply conduct their searches differently to Google, placing less emphasis on popularity and more on relevance.

Check out these search engines as alternatives to Google, you may be surprised what you’re missing out on!

http://thecomputerboss.com/2009/08/over-50-google-alternatives/