Understanding Search Engines
This may be one statement that is impossible to achieve, but if you are determined to have a successful web site, you must make reasonable attempts to keep up with the newest information available. You must also learn to weed out useful information from scams. Again, a not so easy task.
I have tons of information, gathered from numerous sources. I'll add it as quickly as possible, and update it as I learn it.
Listing Your Site
It is preferred that you list your site with the search engines individually. Most still accept free listings. This does not guarantee you will ever actually see your site as a result of a search.
Most of the search engines now accept payment for guaranteed indexing within a specified period of time. This payment does not guarantee rank. Only that the bots will come by and list your site.
It is also becoming more popular for many search engines to require payment for every clickthrough you get from search results.
Most of the search engines will claim to be the most popular. Why? They want you to believe THEIR service is what you have to have!
I read that MS IE is moving towards getting their data from Goto.com. What this means is...if you use IE, and search from the search box on the msn.com start page, you will be seeing Goto.com search results. Did you know you can't even list your site via goto without bidding for clicks? (I read this on the Goto.com web site, so its reliability may not be worth anymore than the page it was written on.)
Major Search Engines
Each will open in a new window. Some charge for the listing, the indexing, or any clickthroughs you might get from their visitors. Please read all instructions carefully.
- Alta Vista
- GoTo.com
- Go.com - used to be Infoseek
- HotBot (Lycos Network)
- Excite
- Northern Light
- Super Snooper
Directories
Directories are a bit different from search engines in that when you use a directory, you choose a category, then narrow your search from that point. There are many excellent directories. Here are the links to a few.
- Yahoo
- LookSmart
- For MP3 Sites
- Magellan
- Local Find
- Net Directory
- WWWomen.com - I know, it may not be politically correct, but here it is. A directory that is exclusively for female owned/maintained sites.
FFA Links Pages
Don't bother to waste your time or the bandwidth it requires for these things to work, or more accurately, not work! On average, your site will only remain on a FFA page a matter of minutes. Not worth the effort, nor the email that will follow. Exceptions to this rule DO exist!