Search Engines

A search engine is a server or a collection of servers dedicated to indexing Internet web pages, storing the results and returning lists of pages that match particular queries. In normal language, a search engine is a special kind of website where the user types in a query and then receives a list of links to sites that include all or part of what was typed.

There is a distinct difference between search engines and directories. Although both serve different purposes and target markets and work in different ways, they are equally important in attracting targeted traffic to your site. Read more about the difference between search engines and directories.

So how do search engines actually index a site? Basically, there are three elements involved: the search engine spider, the index and the search engine software or algorithm. All three work together to try and make as comprehensive a list of sites as possible with the most relevant possible results showing on search engine results pages. Read more about how search engines work.

Although there are a gazillion search engines in existence, don't panic. In reality, only a handful of engines make up the majority of search engine results, so these are the only ones you need to worry about appearing in. They're all in stiff competition with each other, which in the end suits the user down to a T, as it forces them to deliver ever more relevant results!