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Search engines are specialized web sites designed to help users find information on the World Wide Web. Search engines use various criteria or “algorithms” to rank web pages according to their relevance to search words or phrases, a.k.a. “keywords.” Most engines have their own algorithms and indexes of web pages; as a result, different engines can return entirely different results for searches of the same keywords.

Perhaps the most well-known search engine is Google, which has millions of pages in its frequently-updated index. Google’s popularity is due in part to its integration as a “search bar” in many web browsers, making it the default engine of choice for many users who may not realize that other search engines exist. However, as the Web is made up of millions upon millions of web pages with more added each day, no single search engine can index all of them. Accordingly, the use of different engines may be helpful for locating certain types of information.

Yahoo is another major search engine, and was probably the most popular engine of all a few years ago before Google’s rise to fame. Yahoo, like Google, contains a massive updated index of general search results covering much of the diverse content available on the internet and remains a valuable online resource.

Some other general search engines are Microsoft’s MSN, Ask.com, LookSmart, AltaVista, Excite, Lycos, WiseNut, Clusty, Gigablast, and Exalead, just to name a few.

There are also engines which will search multiple other engines and simultaneously compile all the results into a single list. Both MetaCrawler and Dogpile return search listings from Google, Yahoo, MSN, and Ask.com.

In addition to general search engines, there are many engines designed for locating specific types of content.

Some search engines filter out inappropriate content for children, allowing for family-friendly searches and homework help. Examples are Ask for Kids, Fact Monster, KidsClick, Yahoo Kids, and Family Source.

Employment seekers can look for job-related information on Monster or CareerBuilder.

Bargain hunters can search for great deals on all kinds of products at BizRate, PriceGrabber, Shopping.com or Froogle. Each allows for comparison of prices from many different sources.

When vacation time rolls around, Priceline, Orbitz, Travelocity and Expedia can assist in finding great deals on travel and hotels by searching multiple airline, car rental and hotel sites.

With so many engines to serve as your guides, in no time at all you can navigate your way to the information you want and need on the vast World Wide Web.