How Search Engines Work

Using search engines like Google or Bing has become a part of daily life. It’s hard to imagine our lives without the convenience of data right at our fingertips! 

The first basic search engine was used in 1990 and mainly searched content files. It’s hard to believe that in just over 30 years, the term “googling” has become universally known and we rely on search engines for so many things connected to our professional and personal lives.

But how do search engines work? And even more importantly, how do you choose the right search engine?

We’re exploring that below and sharing our personal experiences and recommendations with you.

Have questions about how your technology works or struggling with your electronic device? We’re here to help!

How Do Search Engines Work?

If you think of the internet as a huge library, then search engines are the librarians. You may have heard the term “spiders” or “web crawlers” before. These bots search the internet to find results that match the question or keywords you type into a search engine.

Choosing The Right Search Engine

While Google tends to be most people’s default search engine, it’s not always the best choice for everyone. You might also just use your computer or phone’s default search engine like Bing, Safari, Yahoo!, etc.

All search engines aren’t created equal, and it can help you get the answers or results you’re looking for faster if you know which search engine to use.

Google

Google holds 85% of the market share for search engines, making it overwhelmingly popular. Google’s algorithm can typically be relied on for fast, relevant results. 

However, there are concerns over how Google collects its browser’s data, which can lead to data privacy violations and issues.

Google makes most of its money with ad revenue through Google Ads. That means they will always be collecting user data to some extent, so keep that in mind as you use it.

DuckDuckGo

DuckDuckGo has gained popularity in recent years as an ideal search engine for those who are concerned with data privacy. It doesn’t track, collect, or store any of your data as you use it, but it does still provide targeted ads.

Search results on this browser come from its algorithm and web crawlers on other search engines (except Google). One of its most popular features is its advanced commands, which allow you to search faster and get the results you want.

Startpage

This is another data privacy-focused search engine. Similar to DuckDuckGo, it does not record personal data and search history. It also removes the IP addresses of those who use it from Startpage’s servers. 

Results on Startpage come directly from Google, which can make it an ideal alternative for those who want their data to stay private, but still want the accuracy of a Google search.

Bing

This search engine was created by Microsoft in 2009 and is the second-largest search engine in the world today. Some users like Bing because of their multimedia search options, as it provides advanced video and image search results.

Our staff doesn’t typically recommend Bing as a search engine, as we haven’t had positive experiences using it. We typically recommend using Google or DuckDuckGo to our customers, as it’s what we like to use ourselves!

Choosing The Best Search Engine Matters

There are numerous search engines out there – we barely scratched the surface in this blog post! 

Our key takeaway is that when you’re getting ready to ask the internet a question, take a moment to consider which search engine is the best choice for you. It can make a huge difference in both the relevance of your search results and your privacy.

Have questions about data privacy online, understanding how search engines work, or need help with your phone, computer, tablet, or other electronic device? Our experts at The Lab are here to help!

The Lab is located in the heart of downtown Warsaw at 120 E. Center Street, Suite A.

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