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Comparing Search Engines 
Introduction: The World Wide Web contains millions of pages of information. Finding one piece of information can be very difficult unless you use special Web sites called Search Engines which help you locate the facts you need. Not all Search Engines are alike. They can differ in the ways you enter the information you are requesting, in the kinds of information they provide, and in the amount of information they can locate.
Instructions: Read the information about Search Engines presented on the next page. Return to this page and print the Search Engine recording form. Tour all of the Search Engines listed below and record the information requested for each site as you visit it. Be sure to follow the directions for the Searching Test on the recording sheet and report the results for each Search Engine. Evaluate all your information and, from among the Search Engines you visited, choose the one you would be most likely to use. Write your report in the space provided.
After you have printed your record sheet below, click on any Search Engine to begin your virtual tour 
Kiddle 
After you have finished your work sheet, Click on the link below to learn some good searching techniques
Some Facts About Search Engines Types of Search Engines:
- Subject Directories are not true Search Engines. They list broad subject categories and allow the Web searcher to browse through lists of Web sites by subject to narrow the search. They lead the searcher to general information about a subject rather than a specific piece of information.
- Search Engines have a Search Box that allows the searcher to enter key words or phrases into the box. Some allow the searcher to use natural language which means you can type a complete question or query into the box just as you would ask it without worrying about finding keywords. The Search Engine then returns lists of Web sites that may contain the information you are looking for. These are listed in order of the most likely match to your key words. You click on each Web site until you find the information you are searching for.
- MetaSearch Engines use multiple engines simultaneously. Some even display the results in split screens showing several different engines. They are very fast and are good for searching for obscure information.
- Subject-Specific Search Engines focus on searching in a specific area or type of resource. For example, there are image, audio, and video Search Engines that look only for those kinds of files. Some meta search engines have special search features that allow the searcher to look for those kinds of files also.
After you press the search or go buttons, you will see a list of "hits" or Web sites that the Search Engine thinks will contain the answer to your question. Various Search Engines will find different numbers of sites. A good Search Engine will locate the answer in one of the first 3 sites it lists. If it does not, you can continue to click on the remaining sites until you find what you are looking for.
Filters
Care must be taken when searching on the Internet. When you are searching for educational material, you should use sites that are filtered for educational use. They eliminate non-educational matches that do not pertain to the topic you are researching. For example, if you are looking for information on pythons, filters will remove information about TV personality Monty Python. This can also be done through search techniques. Filters also eliminate adult material from being listed in your Web sites. Check your Search Engine before you type in a query to see if it is filtered. There is usually information concerning filters on the home page or in preferences in the menu.
Search Engine Record Sheet Name_______________________
Instructions: Visit each web site below by using the Virtual Tour on the Home page. Decide whether the Web site is a subject directory, search engine, meta search engine, or subject-specific search engine. Fill in the chart below by answering the questions yes or no or filling in the information requested. To test your Search Engines, ask each one to find the name of the present Speaker of the U S House of Representatives. and record the number of hits from each site and whether you found the information in the first 3 matches or hits presented.
Search Engine Type of Search Engine Has a Search Box? Has directories or categories? Has a filter? Uses Natural Language? # of Hits on Test Question One of 1st 3 hits found answer to test question KidRex
Kiddle
Kid Info
DogPile
KidzSearch
Fact Monster
What did you learn? In the space provided, tell which search engine you think gave the best results to the query and why. Would you use the search engine you chose every time you search the Internet? Why or why not?
