Internet search engines and directories classify and index the millions of Web sites found on the World Wide Web, but no single engine will index all of the Web pages in existence. It is important to understand the differences between search engines and directories, and then to find one or two that meet your needs. The following search engines and Internet finding tools have been recommended by Worksite staff.

Search Engines
Meta Search Engines
Directories
Hybrid Search Engines
Other

Search Engines

Search engines use "spiders" or "crawlers" which constantly visit Web sites on the Internet in order to create catalogues of Web pages. Because they run automatically and index so many Web pages, search engines may often find information not listed in directories. Search engines vary from one another in the search techniques they employ, the special features they offer, and the size of their databases.

• Alta Vista 

• Canada.com 

• Excite 

• Google 

• HotBot 

• Lycos 

• Northern Light

• redToronto
  Over 100,000 GTA-based businesses are listed and users can search by business name,  product, service or any other keyword.
  
  Webcrawler   

Meta Search Engines

Meta search engines do not support their own database, but rely on the databases of other Web-based search tools. These engines will simultaneously send your query to several other search engines.

• Metacrawler 

• Dogpile 

Directories

Unlike search engines, directories are created by humans. Sites are submitted, then are assigned to an appropriate hierarchical subject category or categories. Because of the human role, directories may provide better results than search engines. Yahoo! is probably the best know directory.

• Yahoo! 

Hybrid Search Engines

Some search engines have an associated directory in addition to traditional keyword searching.

• Netscape Center
  The Netscape Center allow you to conduct your search using one of five traditional search engines (Excite, Lycos, Infoseek, LookSmart, and Netscape). It also includes subject categories and links to stock quotes and news. 
  

Other

• CanadaOne
  The CanadaOne website includes an online magazine, a Canadian Business directory, links to over 500 Canadian specific business resources, a technology centre, and several other promotional tools designed to help Canadians grow their businesses. 
  
  

• Search Engine Watch
  A comprehensive guide to search engines. Includes explanations of the various types of search engines, comparison charts and up-to-date statistics.