Most users never think beyond Google when they conduct an online search. However, the range of other systems is broad. Some of them belong to the powerful meta group. These services pre-date the most popular search sites.
Today, they are widely used by SEO specialists due to their peculiar benefits. So, what is a metasearch engine?
Definition of Metasearch
This constitutes a separate class of systems. They belong to a higher level, as their function is to collect results from other search engines. This means a user can access data from Google, Bing, and Yahoo, from a single place.
Some of these systems emerged in the 1990s. Exploring them is like delving into the history of internet search. There are three key types:
- generic;
- specialized in a particular subject, or
- vertical.
The advent of metasearch was crucial for the evolution of subsequent technologies — specifically, databases and proprietary search engines. The latter includes systems on individual websites — e.g., search on eBay.
Overview of Functions
Suppose you were tasked with comparing results from Google and Yahoo. How would you approach it? Surely, you could open both services in separate windows and run a search for the same keyword. But isn’t this method laborious? Metasearch via a single dedicated site is much more efficient.
The results you get come from a range of sources. These are other search engines, internet databases, etc. The information is neatly collated, properly indexed, and ranked following a unique search methodology.
In terms of ranking, systems fall into two categories. Some metasearch engines use their own peculiar rules. Others rely on ready-made rankings from other search engines.
List of Meta Search Engines
You can find different metasearch engine lists online. Here are five of the most popular options today.
1. DogPile
Once a pioneering meta system, it now gathers results from Google, Yandex, and Bing. It has been used in university research and has experienced quite a few acquisitions. Address: https://www.dogpile.com/.
2. Yippy
This system is powered by IBM Watson. The system stands out thanks to clustering as its key method. Address: https://yippy.com/
3. Startpage
This site proclaims itself as “the world’s most private search engine”. In the past, it went by the name of IxQuick. Its key competitive strength is compliance with the privacy standards of the EU. Address: https://www.startpage.com/.
4. Surfwax
Previously called Lookahead, the system dates back to the dawn of the internet. Today, it is known as one of the best search engines for the Deep Web. Surfwax has local site search usability, and its indexing is site-specific. Address: http://lookahead.surfwax.com.
5. Mamma
This system is focused on business reviews. Address: https://www.mamma.com/
Metasearch and SEO
So, what makes meta systems so valuable for SEO teams? First, they deliver a wealth of priceless data connected to customers and keywords. This information is also handy for SEMs. Other benefits include the following.
Clustered Results
Search terms are divided into clusters based on phrases and derived words. When similar concepts are grouped, the output is refined and easier to navigate. This is particularly useful for concepts with multiple/obscure meanings. Clustering is also useful for SEO, especially for brainstorming of keywords.
For instance, ‘bark’ refers to the sound produced by dogs, and the outer covering of a tree. Metasystems display a neat cluster structure to help you filter the results. Yippy is the embodiment of this approach. If you enter ‘bark’, it shows a selection of top clusters. The grouping may be done by source, site, time, and topic (e.g., ‘Dog’, ‘Garden’, ‘Herbal medicine’. etc.).
Result Comparison
Metasystems not only juxtapose results from search engines. They may also compare them with social media. For instance, Fuzzfind is classified as a web search mashup. It derives user personalized results from major systems and social bookmarking sites.
Another meta service, Langreiter.com, compares results from Yahoo and Google. Such analysis gives priceless insights into keywords trending in both worlds. You can see how keywords are being used across the web. Such data is invaluable for SEO professionals, as they can spot winning word combinations.
Semantic Search
Some metasearch engines enable the semantic search. If you do not know what is semantic search in SEO, here are the very basics. Systems with this feature do not just match results to a search query. They also analyze search intent, meaning, and relations between words.
Search intent describes why a query was performed. For instance, a user may be seeking an answer to a question, a product description, etc. Meanwhile, contextual meaning reflects the connection between words in a query, along with related words and phrases, and content of websites. This way, meta systems can factor in the meaning of a query, rather than phrasing alone.
So, what is the takeaway? Search engines with semantic principles display more accurate results. This is because their output considers the context, not the exact wording only. Overall, the search is more intuitive.
A Look Ahead
The importance of the semantic search for ranking is projected to grow. SEO specialists need to optimize content accordingly. This means they should broaden their horizons: consider topics, rather than keywords, and always match content to the search intent. Here, the semantic capacities of metasearch engines are extremely handy. For users, the key benefits include the scope and structuring of results.