#Facts You Never Knew About Yahoo, Google, Ask Jeeves, and AllTheWeb

Nearly 85% of all knowledge obtained online starts with somebody doing research on one or more search engines. This week you'll learn about the history of some popular search engines and the importance of using search engines to grow your business.

Nearly 85% of all knowledge obtained online starts with somebody doing research on one or more search engines. Whether a product or a service, search engines are the tool people are using to find what they want. You would benefit greatly to gain an understanding of how search engines can help grow your business.

Search engines are of two basic styles - portal and search box focused. In either search style, results depend on inclusion within the engine s extensive database, some using human editing and others fully automated, some requiring paid inclusion and others free. Search results listings are called SERP s or search engine result pages.

Studies have shown that search engines and links are the most effective way to reach Web users. Search engine marketing is tiered, meaning one may promote a Web site on the search engines at various levels of visibility. Each level offers a distinctly different service than the next. At the most basic level of marketing is search engine listing which is simply registration in any given search database. This doesn t guarantee or solidify ranking in the top results, but does obtain consideration. The next level is called search engine optimization, or improving a Web site s ability to gain top rankings in SERP s.

To rank relevantly within search engine results, Web sites must be considered relevant for a particular search algorithm for that particular keyword or phrase. This is a dynamic and growing strategy based on various tactics aimed to use search algorithms to the marketer s best advantage. Currently, Web sites rank highest when each page is optimized separately. Metatags are thus developed with appropriate content.

There are countless search engines driving traffic to Web sites. Most of these are small, targeted and growing, while others have a large, broad and loyal audiences. Just a few search engines control the majority of queries on the Internet. These leaders include: Yahoo, Google, Ask Jeeves and AllTheWeb.

Other search sites compile results from multiple search engines into all-encompassing SERP s. Finally, a one-of-a-kind undertaking, the Open Directory Project or DMOZ is a non-commercial directory focused on human-editing and free inclusion.

Studies also indicate search engines and links are the most effective method to reach users. According to GVU users survey, 85 percent of all new visitors currently arrive from search engines. Other strong marketing venues include word of mouth and printed direct mail advertising.

Traffic Facts

The following shows the average reach. For instance, if you sampled a million Internet users, average reach states how many visit each of the follow (Metrics as of February 2005.)