Search Engines Search engines use automated programs known as web crawlers, spiders and robots to navigate the Web continuously and keep their databases up to date.
Users enter keywords that are searched against a database.
They work best when the user has a particular topic in mind that can be expressed in specific terms. Features and Characteristics Certain databases are more extensive than others are and different sites offer varying levels of search capabilities. Most search sites include detailed documentation, often through a link called Search Tips, Custom Search or Advanced Searching. Some of the search mechanisms include the use of Boolean operators, i.e. AND, OR and NOT, to narrow the scope of a query. There are also searches that will account for mistaken or unusual spellings.