Some people may find themselves shocked by this revelation, but Google is not the be-all, end-all of search engines! Of course it does a fantastic job, though many grow frustrated with not always finding exactly what they need - maybe it ends up buried underneath a pile of useless splogs with good PR or never receives enough attention to even pop up on their radar. Fortunately, specialty search engines that appeal to a specific niche can fill in where the broader Google starts slipping. No matter their focus - though often professional, technical, or commercial in nature - they provide excellent services to help users find exactly what they need.
1. GoodSearch
While it doesn’t necessarily cater to a specific topic, GoodSearch is an amazing niche search engine in that every query run through it goes through it results in a donation made to a selected charity! Those with little money or time to give the community - most especially college students - can do at least this much to help out a favorite nonprofit.
2. Teenormous
Fans of the classic t-shirt will absolutely love using the Teenormous search engine, which scours the internet to find the stores that sell exactly what they’re looking for.
3. Goby
Find the perfect purse for everyday activities or evenings out by using this niche search engine to look for the best deals on the best brands.
5. SlideFinder
Available in 35 languages and spanning 810 universities (and counting!), SlideFinder allows students, educators, professionals, researches, and hobbyists to browse thousands of available PowerPoint presentations on a staggering array of topics.
6. USA.gov
Most visitors to USA.gov do not realize that the search engine available through the site runs queries through every state government and federal department as well. They can also browse the archives by topic as well.
7. SplogSpot
Anyone concerned about encountering spam blogs can run queries through SplogSpot to determine legitimacy and avoid potential danger.
8. AddALL
As with the other metasearches concerning themselves with consumer goods, AddALL searches over 30 different websites for ebook price and availability.
9. Local
In the same league as the far more popular Yelp, CitySearch, and UrbanSpoon, Local serves as a search engine to discover local businesses and eateries, pick up coupons, and read what previous customers have to say about their experiences.
10. MapMachine
Explore the world via roads, satellite images, bird’s-eye views, and 3D using National Geographic’s extensive database and search feature that compiles all of their maps into one valuable search.
11. NCDC Storm Events Database
Weather aficionados can search for storms in the National Climatic Data Center’s database, which categorizes all of the recorded events in every state and territory since 1993.
12. PubMed
Use PubMed to search over 19 million articles, citations, books, journals, and other works of literature relating to the study of medicine and biology.
13. Webopedia
The computer savvy and the entirely clueless can both benefit from Webopedia, which serves as both a dictionary and a search engine for terminology relating to the internet and technology.
14. Search Bug
When looking for contact information for both people and businesses, pop into Search Bug for detailed and accurate results. Many companies use it to run quick checks on potential employees, for example.
15. Healthline
Most internet users turn to WebMD for quick medical advice and information, but Healthline provides a similar search feature. Type in different conditions and symptoms to retrieve research and tips on the subject at hand.
16. eCirc
Search the circulation data of thousands of different periodicals using eCirc, which covers everything from newspapers to farm reports.
17. Gnod
Focusing on music, books, movies, and people, Gnod also boasts an AI system that remembers a user’s preferences and eventually comes to search based on these personalized parameters.
Animation fans and pop culture critics will definitely enjoy The Big Cartoon Database and search engine, which allows them to call up all the available information on thousands of different companies, films, shorts, characters, and more.
19. Ajax Whois
Aspiring web masters and mistresses would do well to use Ajax Whois to check the availability of specific domain names for every extension. It sure saves time typing it into the browser!
20. Bandname.com
Musicians serious about starting a band will appreciate this database and search feature, which allows them to see what names have already been taken in order to avoid any legal issues or confusion amongst fans.
21. Rollyo
Rollyo’s main attraction involves allowing users to customize their own niche searches available on the front page. They can even pick which sources they do or do not want showing up in their results as well.
Biographers, journalists, or hobbyists who enjoy poking into the private lives of the entitled American elite who inexplicably receive exorbitant amounts of money for doing almost nothing can use the Celebrity Search Engine to only perpetuate the problem.
23. Ancestor Hunt
When working on a biography or genealogic project, Ancestor Hunt comes to the rescue by offering an extremely thorough obituary search for every state in America.
24. liveplasma
Pique curiosity and discovery with liveplasma, which allows movie and music fans to find recommendations that meld well with their favorites.
25. blinkx
One of the most advanced multimedia search engines on the web, blinkx browses over 35 million hours worth of podcasts and videos to send back exactly what users need.
This highly specialized search works wonderfully for those hoping to give a teddy bear as a gift, as it allows them to browse a multitude of shops for the perfect playmate.
27. DIYSEARCH
Fans of DIY projects and indie culture will appreciate this down-to-earth search engine and community, which seeks to spotlight some of the lesser-known people and ideas that crop up in the distant pages of a standard Google search.
28. Fly Express
Biologists and geneticists can search over 100,000 image files involving over 4,000 gene expressions specifically involving flies, making this an excellent niche resource for the zoological field.
29. Tablefly
Comparing and contrasting different concepts and consumer items becomes far simpler when using the simple and effective Tablefly tool.
30. retrievr
No relation to the dog, unfortunately. But retrievr still serves an excellent and useful function all the same! Sketch in a box and add a few colors, then let the search engine do the work by popping onto Flickr and brining back ones that match the description.
31. HORRORFIND
Whether searching for an obscure horror film for movie night or hoping to learn more about the history of favorite spooky figures, HORRORFIND will likely fetch something entertaining and informative.
Run queries through Web 2.0 Search Engine when looking for information and tools on succeeding and navigating this particular corner of the web.
33. Pixsy
Whether looking for stock photos for a project or a video for pure entertainment, Pixsy serves as an excellent multimedia search engine.
Before popping in or streaming a movie, browse what professionals and hobbyists alike make of thousands of different titles. MRQE also provides a glut of information on all sorts of interesting film trivia.
35. like.com
Online shopping never used to allow the same personalization, comparison, and options that hitting traditional brick-and-mortar stores. However, like.com’s grand visual search engine provides nearly every benefit of leaving home to shop - aside from actually touching or trying on the products themselves.
Art lovers in search of images and information on their favorite creators and works can browse names, pieces, and museums to find everything the internet has to offer on the subject.
37. Retrevo
Use Retrevo when purchasing electronics online, as it searches different shops in order to help consumers make the right decisions when it comes to price and quality.
38. Open Library
Cataloging every book every published, Open Library provides users a way to find exactly what they need - and share some recommendations of their own!
39. WeatherBug
Check the current weather and forecasts for anywhere in the United States - even download a nifty little desktop add-on!
40. LawCrawler
This specialized search engine, which sits atop Google, only sends and returns search queries through confirmed legal websites and blogs.
41. SideStep
Check out SideStep when comparison shopping for the best travel deals possible - it makes for a viable alternative to Orbitz, Expedia, Travelocity, Kayak, Priceline, and the like!
42. FindSounds.com
When looking for an MP3, .wav, or other audio file, flip through FindSounds.com to see what sort of useful goodies pop up.
43. Dailystocks.com
Dailystocks.com provides a search engine to find the latest news, developments, and information on a specific stock - making this an excellent resource for anyone looking to work with investments.
44. SkreemR
Touting itself as “the world’s greatest Mp3 Search Engine,” SkreemR does…well…exactly that! Use it to find podcasts, music, and other sounds in that specific format.
45. SeeqPod
Because the only thing better than music is free music, SeeqPod offers visitors a chance to find their favorite songs and discover new artists completely gratis.
46. GamePublic
Gamers in search of information and reviews regarding their hobby have their very own search engine to explore everything the industry has to offer them.
A service from GameFly Media, CheatServer provides exactly what its nomenclature implies. When stuck on a particularly aggravating boss or wanting to push a game to its limits, run a search through this engine and grab the useful information that comes up.
48. Sourcebank
Sourcebank specifically targets developers and programmers, and their search engine specializes in finding code, articles, and other resources regarding the professions.
49. Slifter
Another specialized shopping search engine, Slifter stands out from its competition by having users search for the best deals at physical stores in their area rather than online retailers.
50. Auction Mapper
Many critics point out that eBay has a search engine of its very own, but Auction Mapper actually allows users a much higher degree of flexibility and customization than the default.
In spite of its prolificacy and prowess, Google is basically the Batman of the search engine world. It may beat out all the other non-powered mortals, but it still possesses entirely human flaws and weaknesses. Fortunately, niche search engines form a great supporting network (think of them as basically Alfreds, Robins, Batwomans, Nightwings, Oracles, Batgirls, and Huntresses) to pick up where the big guy trails off. They’re perfectly capable of standing on their own and provide a valuable function to help visitors solve their own problems.
