Major Search Engines
In our view, the 7 search engines below are the best. We provide a quick summary, and let you know what you need to do to get your site listed. There are many other search engines but they get their results from other search systems or they only accept paid inclusion. We have listed them in order of preference.
1. Google
Google is number one. You want your site to be listed in Google and preferably have it rank high. Google is usually very fast picking up your site but it can still take 3-4 weeks to get listed after you submit.
Google Information for Webmasters.
2. Yahoo
Yahoo has two different search features, a directory and a search index powered by the "Inktomi" search robot. You have to pay to get listed in the directory but you can submit your site for free in the Yahoo Search feature.
Yahoo Information for Webmasters.
3. MSN Search
MSN Search consists of three search components. It includes a new search engine, index and crawler. MSN could become a real competitor to Google and Yahoo, and reaches so many people that you do want to be listed here.
MSN Information for Webmasters
The Open Directory is not a search engine but a human-generated directory, which powers some of the most popular search engines and portals, including AOL Search, Google, Netscape Search, and Yahoo Search.
ODP Information for Webmasters.
5. Alta Vista
Alta Vista Information for Webmasters.
6. Ask Jeeves
Ask Jeeves gets its search results from "Teoma" and is owned by ASK. As a result of recent changes, Ask Jeeves does not offer paid inclusion anymore. The Teoma crawler finds pages by following links from other pages.
Ask Jeeves Information for Webmasters.
7. Inktomi
Inktomi is owned by Yahoo and feeds more search engines than any of the other search results providers. HotBot, AltaVista, and About all use Inktomi. You can't submit your URL directly - you have to use the Overture Site Match Program.
Inktomi information for Webmasters.