what are advantages and disadvantages of using meta search services?

http://www.sou.edu/library/searchtools/

1. Go through the different articles in the section entitled HOW TO SEARCH THE INTERNET.

2. Then try out some of the search engines in the METASEARCH TOOLS section.

You should be able to draw some pretty easy conclusions from there.

If you'll re-post with your answer, someone here will be happy to critique your work.

=)

Advantages:
1. The search engines they send your search terms to (size, content, number of search engines, your ability to choose the search engines you prefer). All of them search subject directories as well as search engines and intermix results from all.
2. How they handle your search terms and search syntax (Boolean operators, phrases, and defaults they impose).
3. How they display results (ranking, aggregated into one list, or with each search engine's results reported separately).
4.You save time.
5.Can often judge which search services are more likely to have indexed pages related to your questions.
6.Will likely pick up some new hits from search engines you haven't look at.
7. Several metasearch engines will group results by topic making it easier to zero in on an answer.

Disadvantages
1.Most metasearchers are limited to simple words or phrases. The advanced features and instructions of each search engine are available only by going to the individual search-engine site.
2. Results tend to be limited to 10 to 50 hits from each search engine. The meta-searchers give the impression of being comprehensive but rarely are.
They tend to search the lesser lights and usually pick up several of the pay-for-placement search engines like Miva or Kanoodle.
3. Search engines used by the metasearcher may duplicate each other.

Excellent work. Very thorough. I cannot think of anything I'd add.

=)

Thank you Writeacher

Advantages of using meta search services:

1. Multiple search engines: Meta search services send your search terms to multiple search engines, including subject directories. This increases the chances of finding relevant results from a variety of sources.

2. Time-saving: By using a meta search service, you can search multiple search engines simultaneously, saving time compared to performing separate searches on each individual search engine.

3. Variety of search options: Meta search services often allow you to choose the search engines you prefer and provide options for advanced search syntax, such as Boolean operators and phrases.

4. Aggregated results: Meta search services can aggregate results from multiple search engines into one list, making it easier to browse through and compare the results.

5. Uncovering new hits: Meta search services can help you discover new hits from search engines you haven't looked at before, expanding your search coverage.

6. Grouped results: Some meta search engines group results by topic, making it easier to find relevant information and navigate through the search results.

Disadvantages of using meta search services:

1. Limited search capabilities: Most meta search services are limited to simple words or phrases. If you need advanced features or specific search instructions for a particular search engine, you'll have to visit the individual search engine's site.

2. Limited number of results: Meta search services typically display a limited number of hits from each search engine, usually ranging from 10 to 50. They may appear comprehensive but often miss out on less popular search engines and include pay-for-placement search engines.

3. Duplicate results: Meta search services may include search engines that generate duplicate results. This can lead to redundancy in the search results and require additional effort to filter out duplicates.

Overall, while meta search services have the advantage of searching multiple sources simultaneously, they also have limitations in terms of search capabilities and the comprehensiveness of results. It's important to consider these factors when deciding to use a meta search service or opt for individual search engines.