Because different search engines have different sites in their databases, you will get different results from the same search if you run it in more than one search engine. Sometimes this is a good idea. An easy way to do it is to use a meta index , which searches more than one engine at a time. Search engines can find a word or phrase anywhere on a Webpage, so they are more sensitive and flexible than the category-based directories. When you are looking for a very specific piece of information on the Web or when directory categories don't fit your query, a search engine is what you need.
Search engines are more complicated to use than directories.
It is very important to read the help provided on a search engine's homepage in order to use the engine successfully. Try out a few different search engines to see which you like best. Then focus on becoming knowledgeable in using that one. After you have become proficient with one search engine, it will be easier to increase your repertoire. Even with knowledgeable searching, search engines tend to retrieve a lot of results, and it is sometimes be difficult to find what you want.