Specialized Search Services

So far, your searching experiences have been with general-purpose directories and search engines. There are others that are designed to index or search for specific topics and services. Recall that even the search service with the largest database only indexes, at best, half the documents on the Web. A directory or search engine that is specialized will have a smaller database, but one that may very well return more relevant information in its field than its larger general counterparts.
What follows are just a few examples of specialty search services. You can search for more or use the searching resources from earlier in this module to locate others. As you look through the list, take a minute or two to tour the ones that may be of use to you as a possible key site or other part of your searching strategy.

Search services have changed significantly between 2013 and 2022, with many new technologies and advancements that have improved the accuracy, speed, and functionality of search services. Here are some of the key changes that have occurred:

1. Natural Language Processing (NLP): NLP has advanced significantly in recent years, allowing search services to better understand natural language queries and provide more accurate search results. This has led to the development of new features such as voice search and chatbots, which have become increasingly common in search services.
2. Artificial Intelligence (AI): The use of AI and machine learning has become more widespread in search services, allowing them to provide more personalized and relevant results. AI-powered search services can learn from user behavior and adapt to their preferences, improving the user experience.
3. Rich snippets: Search services now provide rich snippets, which are small pieces of information displayed in the search results that provide more context about the content. Rich snippets can include images, videos, reviews, and other types of content, making search results more engaging and informative.
4. Mobile optimization: With the rise of mobile devices, search services have become more optimized for mobile platforms, providing faster and more streamlined search experiences on smaller screens.
5. Vertical search: Search services have expanded to provide more targeted search results for specific categories such as images, videos, news, and products. This has improved the accuracy and relevancy of search results for specific types of content.
6. Privacy: Privacy concerns have become more prominent in recent years, and search services have implemented features such as private search and encrypted search to protect user data and ensure privacy.

Overall, search services have become more sophisticated and user-friendly, with advancements in technology and features that have improved the accuracy and relevance of search results, as well as the user experience.

In addition to these, you can search for topic-specific results in education, medicine and health, reference and career and job search services.

1. OneLook Dictionaries: Links to specialty dictionaries
2. CEO Express: Business and company research; statistics; office tools and reference
3. CPlusOOPWebsite discussing object technology and C++

Shopping and Price Comparisons

1. ebay.comC2C website
2. Lifewire Online Shopping Sites and Product Comparison Tools

The information in services like these comes from public records and data sold by companies. They will vary in how up-to-date their information remains, and unlisted telephone numbers are not usually available. In addition to the examples below, a search will turn up some counties' jail records, genealogy databases, unclaimed bank accounts, and death records.

1. Wihte Pages Person and Business searches
2. Yellow Pages page after page of links to email, phone/fax, and address directories, plus genealogical reference

Click the Exercise link below to practice searching for yourself or someone you know on the Web.
Search Services - Exercise