Searching for Search Engines - November 2002
By Kelly Embleton

Most of us, if not all, have used search engines or directories to find Web sites or information on the Internet that we have been searching for. Searching and choosing which search engine to search in can now be as overwhelming as the information the engine generates due to the amount of search engine sites available on the Internet presently.

Search engines and directories have vastly increased in number and complexity and are some of the most visited Web sites on the Internet today.

I have compiled a list of some popular, general and specific content search engines and directories for you to visit, tips on using search engines and a few interesting facts about search engines.

I hope this helps you find and narrow down your decision on, which search engine to search in and also provides you with some new and useful resources.

General Search Engines and Directories:
askjeeves.com
dogpile.com
highway61.com
scrubtheweb.com
google.com
altavista.com
wisenut.com
about.com
looksmart.com
yahoo.com
opendirectory.com
alltheweb.com

Pay-Per-Click Search Engines:
overture.com
7search.com
findwhat.com
kandoodle.com
theinfodepot.com

Business:
allbusiness.com
business.com

Computer/Internet Info:
allwhois.com
tucows.com
CNETdownload.com

Searching Tips:
The more specific your search is, the more likely you will find what you want. Tell the search engine exactly what you are looking for. Another tip is to look for searching assistance on the Web site such as help pages, related search links, how-to pages and more.

Quick search engine facts: (found at searchenginewatch.com)

• Nine out of ten Web users visit a search engine, portal or community site each month and revisit five times per month.
• Users looking for products are far more likely to type the product name into a search engine than to browse shopping sites or click on ads.
• Search engines are the top way consumers find new Web sites online.
• When searching, nearly half of the users type in multiple keywords rather than a single keyword.
• Almost 50 per cent of online users turn to search engine sites for their online news needs.
• 56 per cent of users learn about sites from search engines

Resources

• Latin Percussion, Inc. recently announced the launch of a new Web site - www.lprhythmix.com. The new Web site, designed with parents and educators in mind, introduces visitors to the principles behind the profound positive effects of music on children, the effective use of music in education, and to the inventive LP RhythMix line of percussion instruments for children. Check out this new site at www.lprhythmix.com.

• The Canadian Music Trade Web site has a new and valuable addition - Free Product Information. Our new Free Product Info section is your ultimate online resource for products and services offered by Advertisers featured in CMT. This is a quick and easy way to request FREE Product Information online. It's your choice to request more information or connect directly to Advertisers' Web sites. Visit www.canadianmusictrade.com and get your Free CMT Product Information today!

• If you have a Web site and are searching for free tips and tools to promote your site check out Jim World and learn how to announce your Web site and promote more traffic, learn search engines optimization, discuss search engines in the Forums and more. Visit Jim World at www.jimworld.com.

• Internet surfers will notice an incredible new look to the D'Addario Web site located at www.daddariostrings.com. Visitors to the site will have a wealth of options including an advanced search function, D'Addario Performing Artist profiles, an attractive catalog and an easy system for finding the exact strings each player needs. Registered users can enjoy D'Addario's discussion boards, streamlined contest entry forms, make literature requests and read D'Addario's quarterly newsletter.

• The East Coast Music Awards are happening on February 13-16, 2003 in Halifax, NS. Visit the ECMA Web site at www.ecma.ca for information about the nominees, events, awards, news, history and more.

• Music Books Plus is your best source on the Net for music and audio books, videos, CD-ROMs, DVDs, audio cassettes, software, posters, sound effects and apparel. Music Books Plus offers over 5,000 titles on the areas of: Music Business, Instrument Instruction, Audio & Video Production, Recording, Lighting and much more. To add to that, they also have new titles regularly, monthly specials, free monthly e-newsletters, free downloadable updates and flyers. Stop by today at www.musicbooksplus.com.