Goggled eyed (google.com)

Member Name: roger_smith

Product:	google.com
Date:	04/10/00 (28 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Easy to use

Disadvantages: none

As a long term internet user, I have used a variety of search engines over the years. For a while, I split searches between Excite, Lycos, and Yahoo with the context of the search determining the engine chosen. Then I found Google. Simply put, Google is the best search engine available. When rating a search engine, a few factors come to mind.:

Effectiveness
Face it, the only reason to use a search engine is to find information. Hopefully, you will find this information with as little wasted poking around as necessary. To anyone who hasn't tried Google, I will issue a challenge, pick a subject, any subject. You will be amazed at how relevant your initial results are. The reason Google is so effective is related to methodology. There are two methods that search engines use to index sites, humans entering data into databases, and automated programs called "spiders" that crawl the web and read meta-tags on webpages. Google uses spiders, but it also does something unique. It cross references data from links on the page it is searching to determine content matches. Using false subjects is a common way for web site operators to generate traffic. Using cross referencing defeats this tactic. This results in less "hits" for a given query, but surprising accurate results. This makes Google the most effective search engine available. And in keeping with the "cocky" age we are in, Google is also involved in a little boasting. It has a feature called I'm feeling lucky. This feature will automatically follow the first link in your search results.

Interface
Google is the mark of simplicity. When you first go to www.google.com, you will be greeted with a lone search box. That is about it. A small, Google logo, but not much else. (Absolutely no advertising?!?) I find that the most effective way to use google is to simply type words or phrases in the search box, but for those who desire categories, there is a Yahoo-esque
search menu available by clicking on a link.

Speed
I have a 56.6k connection to the internet, and truly appreciate Googles' minimalist approach to web page design. Not only do the uncluttered pages load quickly, and not only do you save time by getting relevant results, the search engine is very quick. I am not sure if this is related to efficient search techniques, or to a small database size, but results are surprising fast. Based on the number of very obscure queries I have been able to answer with google, my opinion is that the database they are sitting on is NOT small, although I have no data on database sizes for Google, or any of the major players.

Summary: