Do you often need to search for information on the Internet? Keep reading this interesting article, because in it you will find everything you need to know about the main search engine characteristics Web.
Each one has specific characteristics that distinguish them from each other.
Characteristics of web search engines
As a result of the information and technology age, it is increasingly common for us to turn to the Internet in search of data related to any topic of interest to us. In this way, this article will be very useful, because here we will show you which are the main search engine characteristics Web of the moment.
However, before entering the objective of this post, related to the characteristics of search engines, it is necessary that we talk about the meaning of Web search engines. So, below we will introduce some basic concepts related to the subject.
What is a web browser?
In general terms, a Web browser, also known as a Search Engine, is a computer system whose main function is to search for information through various Web servers. To do this, it uses the use of keywords, as well as the ranking of topics according to interest, it is for all this that the characteristics of search engines are important.
In this way, the user automatically obtains a list of possible results, within which are topics related to the keywords they entered. Additionally, as a consequence of the accumulation of information hosted on the web, as well as the complex operation of said computer system, the specialists have chosen to classify the search engines as follows.
In the following video, you can see details about how a web search engine works and its search engine characteristics.
Classification
As a way to simplify and structure the information search process and given the existence of multiple additional web directories, we have the following classification of web search engines. In this regard, we can point out that it serves as an advance to also establish which are the main search engine characteristics current.
Hierarchical search engines
In principle, it is important to note that this type of search engine is based on a vector model. In this way, the search for information occurs through the use of textual interrogation interfaces and various databases, the latter containing information related to different Web pages.
In other words, this type of search engine, also known as a spider web crawler, works like a computer program. In addition, it is capable of visiting multiple and different Internet pages to later create a copy of them.
Consequently, these copies are then processed by a search engine, responsible for indexing them to a quick access system. In this regard, more specifically, we can say that the first step is to identify the hyperlinks of the URL pages that are visited, and then include them in a new list of URLs, this time in compliance with certain parameters.
On the other hand, it is important to mention that the system starts from some initial links, which it analyzes in search of others that may be related to the first ones. In this way, hierarchical search engines form a content network with all the URLs visited together with those related to it.
Thus, once the crawler finishes with the first line of web pages, the process begins again. This time, it parses the second set of URLs until it finds new related pages; that way it collects information to repeat the process again.
Web directories
Basically, this kind of web browser works internally. In other words, Web directories are channels where we can find, through the use of internal engines, a large number of links to other pages.
In this regard, it is important to clarify that web directories also contain other data, such as images. On the other hand, we must warn that the main characteristic of this type of search engine is that all its information is classified by categories and sub categories.
Additionally, they usually grant permission for Web page creators to incorporate them as reference sites. However, before they can be included, they must meet the acceptance requirements.
Finally, we must mention that Web directories are practically in disuse, being replaced by larger search engines. However, some still persist, which are dedicated to specific and specialized topics.
Metasearch engines
With regard to this type of web search engine, we can say that its main function is to redirect the search to other search engines. In this way, they make use of various information forwarding interfaces.
In other words, meta search engines use the databases of other larger and more popular search engines. In this regard, it is important to note that the result of the action of this type of Web search engine is a combination of the best pages of each of these auxiliary search engines.
In short, although it may sound redundant, a meta search engine is a search engine search engine. Additionally, we have that its main advantage is that it manages to broaden the search for information, by incorporating new search engines.
Evolution
Although it may seem surprising, the history of Web search engines is quite recent, since it only dates from 1993. In this way, we have that the first search engine consisted of an index prepared by a Robot, which he named Wandex.
In this regard, after Wandex, but in the same year, Aliweb emerged. However, it was not until a year after that the first full-text search engine, called WebCrawle, appeared, which set a precedent in the world of search engines.
It was then from the year 1994 when other Web search engines began to appear, each of which tried to incorporate new benefits, in order to position themselves within this new world. Thus, we come to 1996, the time when the most popular search engine appeared to date: Google.
In principle, this important search engine was identified by the name of the technology by which it was developed, that is, BackRub. However, some time later it changed its name to what we know today; additionally, the set of functionalities it offers has improved more and more.
Characteristics of web search engines
Next, we will present a list of the main search engines that we know. Additionally, we will establish what are the characteristics of web search engines, which depend to a great extent on the results they offer, as well as the algorithms they use and the privacy policies they establish.
Generally speaking, Google is the most popular search engine in the world. In this regard, it is important to clarify that it is based mainly on text search; however, it is not a limitation for its operation.
Additionally, Google is one of the most complete and versatile search engines that exist. Thus, we have that through Google we can access a wide variety of content, including: sports and weather summaries, news, videos, maps, financial aspects and more.
Regarding the way in which Google provides the list of results, it is important to clarify that it does so according to a range of pre-established priorities. On the other hand, this search engine usually renews its page with certain frequency, this in order to make it more attractive and easy to use.
Additionally, it presents a classic interface with a white background, through which it shows most of the tools that it makes available to users. In addition, it includes the voice search option, which is one of the main aspects that differentiates this Web browser from others available on the Internet.
In this regard, in general, we can see how it updates its search bar according to the occurrence of important events or world holiday celebrations. Additionally, users can tailor their search according to their preferences; Furthermore, it is possible to establish a specific language for the possible results to be obtained.
On this last aspect, it is important to mention that there are people who disagree with some policies established by this important search engine; however, they do not represent a majority. In this way, some users consider that the fact that this website stores their search preferences for a long time constitutes a risk to their security.
If you want to know more about the functionalities of this Web browser, I invite you to read the article called: ¿What is Google Docs? Function and Great Advantages
Yahoo! Search
Yahoo! Search is a moderately popular Web search engine, which is currently in the fourth place of the most used worldwide. Another important aspect that should be noted is that, in its beginnings, this search engine was based on another search engine, such as Bing.
In other words, Yahoo! Search provided a directory of Web pages from other sites on the Internet. However, after some time of operating in this way, its owners decided to acquire their own search engine; that way, they bought Alta Vista.
However, an agreement between Yahoo! Search and Microsoft, in which the adoption of this search engine is established again. In this regard, it is important to note that, from that moment on, Yahoo! Search started the crawl on its own.
As for the benefits of this Web browser, we can mention the following: It has a worldwide presence, at least in 38 countries; In addition, it provides the opportunity to search in multiple languages. On the other hand, Yahoo! Search has a variety of content, among which are: Word, Excel, PDF, Power Point files and documents, among others.
Additionally, like other web search engines, Yahoo! Search offers the opportunity to personalize the search for information, according to the preferences of the users. In this way, we can perform advanced searches.
Finally, another important aspect that we must highlight is the warning that Yahoo! Search tells us about certain malicious code virus threats within the downloaded material. On the other hand, this search engine usually caches the results of previous crawls, as well as offers a tutorial to perform an effective search.
Ask
Ask, or Ask Jeeves as they are often known in some countries of the world, is a search engine that provides a peculiar service from the Internet. In this regard, it should be noted that its main characteristic is that it does not focus on the search for general content, but rather that it aims to answer any question that may be asked.
In this way, Ask uses the services of other search engines to respond to the concerns of its users. For this, it is based on the use of keywords, related to its question-answer scheme.
Additionally, this Web browser establishes as a parameter within its search that the information comes from Web pages specialized in similar topics. However, this does not mean that you limit yourself only to these results, but rather that you give priority to those that meet those requirements.
Finally, it is important to note that this search engine is currently facing serious conflicts, especially after its alliance with Oracle Java. In this regard, it is necessary to mention that some specialists consider that this agreement represents a true attempt by the firm to become a malicious program, such as malware.
Bing
Bing is a web browser developed by Microsoft with the intention of taking on Google. In general terms, it has an attractive design and, in a way, interactive, since it frequently changes its background image, in which it shows information about it, as well as refers to certain relevant events.
Additionally, this search engine has a database that contains news, images, maps, weather information, and even sports widgets. On the other hand, it puts at our disposal a page translator, as well as a useful navigation panel with multiple tools.
In the same way, within its main characteristics we can mention the fact that the search results are in real time. As well as, it provides a list of recommended sites or related searches.
On the other hand, it is important to note that Bing has a current agreement with Yahoo! Search, which is estimated to expire in 2021. In this regard, we can clarify that the objective of this alliance is to join forces, thus trying to overcome between them their greatest opponent: Google.
Finally, it allows us to organize the results of our search on both sides of the screen. In the same way, it offers us the opportunity to establish links and relationships with our previous searches.
DuckDuckGo
The main feature that differentiates DuckDuckGo from other web search engines is its privacy policy. In this regard, we must mention that this engine does not track our information; furthermore, it does not allow to relate the search history to any particular user.
As for its interface, it is simple and easy to use, as it has attractive side symbols. Additionally, it offers the option of performing quick searches without having to enter the corresponding website.
On the other hand, it has a database loaded with texts, images, videos and music. In this regard, it is important to mention that the main source of information that DuckDuckGo uses comes from renowned public Internet sites.
Regarding this last aspect, it is necessary to clarify that the intention of this Web search engine is to position itself in the market, through the provision of popular and relevant results. As for its privacy policy, as we have already said, DuckDuckGo does not store any type of information related to the user, therefore it offers a high level of privacy and security.
Additionally, DuckDuckGo represents a faithful representative of hierarchical search engines, since it has registered more than 400 specialized sites. Finally, as an additional aspect we must mention the presence of a chronograph that acts as a connection time meter.
Opera
In general terms, Opera is part of the characteristics of the search engines because within the benefits offered by this Web search engine we can mention the following: it has the option of quick access, through which we can view the thumbnails corresponding to the pages that we visited. Additionally, it allows multiple downloads, as well as a task and password manager.
On the other hand, one of the main characteristics that distinguishes Opera from other search engines is its decision not to allow advertisements that are indexed on the website we are visiting. In the same way, it protects the privacy of the user, since it does not store any information or record of it, including the search and download history.
Additionally, Opera is a web browser that is available in at least 68 countries worldwide; consequently, it is possible to search in multiple languages. Besides, as a special feature, it prevents the collapse of the memory capacity of the computer, since it automatically suspends the processes that are in the background.
Finally, within the characteristics of the search engines, we must mention that this search engine is presented under several modalities, namely: Opera, Opera flags and Opera turbo. In this regard, all of them have the option to warn about a possible virus or phishing enabled.