Analysis of Most Popular Search Engines (Research Paper Sample)

ANALYSIS OF MOST POPULAR SEARCH ENGINES
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Computer and internet users often need to search and access data and information from different sites. Such information is usually stored in a remote computer commonly known as a server. The search for information from the internet, therefore, entails accessing information from remote servers. This search is facilitated and enabled by search engines. Search engines are special programs designed to help in locating information files stored on different servers. A user has to provide a search criterion, usually a word or phrase, to the search engine. In return, the search engine searches for files that relate or match the criterion. A review of how search engines operate shows that they mine information and data from databases, newsgroups, and open directories. For the best understanding of the operation of search engines, this paper presents an analysis of popular search engines used today.
Most search engines known and used today are properties of private companies. They have numerous similarities in their operation, despite being owned by different companies. For instance, the operation of the search engines is based on a closed database with some using proprietary algorithms. However, they commonly use link popularity and PageRank concepts. The algorithm concept used by search engines depends on the capacity used to refer to its history and index cross-links.
Arranged in the order of popularity, Google is ranked top as the leading search engine with MSN and Yahoo following in that order. Previous researchers interested in the popularity of the various search engines realized that up to 83% of internet users use Google. Surprisingly, most internet users use the term “Google” to infer searching content from the internet. A smaller percentage of six use Yahoo whereas the remaining 11% is shared amongst all other search engines. The survey to these popularity data involved 2, 250 respondents, where researchers contacted 903 of the respondents through an online questionnaire. The error margin was only positive or negative three, hence, the findings are credible.
Google has recorded a gradual increase in popularity where its popularity increased from 47% to 83 percent between 2003 and 2012. The trend is still consistent, to date, and largely fueled by Google’s consistency in unveiling new products. Google ensures success through innovativeness. For instance, the company has occasionally introduced new and innovative products such as Google Maps and Google books among other products. Other search engines tend to copy Google’s products, an indication that Google is still the giant search engine. Yahoo, a close alley of Google, continues to seek growth by merging and acquiring other search engines. For instance, the company acquired Inktomi and merged with Overture in 2002 and 2003 respectively.
In summary, Google seems to be the leading search engine when evaluated based on popularity. Many internet users prefer Google to other search engines as observed in an earlier research. MSN and Yahoo seem popular also with Yahoo having 6% popularity. All other search engines share 11%. Google embraces innovativeness, which helps the company to launch innovative products occasionally. Many of the search engines seem to borrow from or imitate Google. Common technologies used by search engines include PageRank and the algorithm technique. Following the increasing use of the internet, search engines must ado...