Find:

How to Choose a Search Engine or Directory

What Kind of Search Are You Doing?

For more information about search engines and directories:
Search Engine Showdown -- Search Engine and Subject Directory Reviews
Search Engine Watch -- Ratings and Reviews

Type of Search
Some Search Engines & Subject Directories to Try
I have a broad topic and want to narrow it.
Use any of the Subject Directories, which allow you to click first on general topics, then click down to specific topics.

Vivisimo sorts results by topic.

 

I have a very specific topic, or a topic with obscure terms.  AlltheWeb and Google are large databases that will search for your terms down to the page level and in the fulltext of webpages.

The Meta Search Engines search many search engines at once.

 

I want a small number of relevant hits.  About.com and Librarians' Internet Index are small subject directories that return just a few relevant results when searched by keyword or subject heading.

Ask.com initially provides just a few, selected hits in response to a question that you ask.

Use Advanced Search Options to limit your search -- see the section on  limiting below. 

 
I want to do a comprehensive search -- I want as many results as possible.  AlltheWeb and Google are large databases that search down to the page level and that also search the fulltext of webpages.

The Meta Search Engines search many search engines at once.

 

I want quality sites that have ratings and reviews.

Librarians' Internet Index, and  About.com provide ratings and reviews for selected sites.

 
I have common search terms and want to make the search more specific by limiting (e.g., by host, domain, title words, etc.), or by combining terms using AND or + (Boolean logic).  Google's Advanced Search , AltaVista's "More Precision" Search,  and AllTheWeb Advanced Search allow limiting by domains, hosts, title words, etc.

Most of the  Search Engines allow you to combine terms.  Consult the Help screens for each to learn how.

 

 
I want to search for images, sounds, or file extensions. Try Google Advanced Search, Google Image Search, AltaVista Photo Finder, AltaVista MP3/Audio, AllTheWeb Pictures, or Mamma.