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Search Engine Software
Search engine software can be used to index the information on your web site or intranet, making it easier for visitors to find what they are looking for. There are plenty of "site search," "intranet search" or "enterprise search" solutions, ranging from simple, free packages to feature-packed, high-end commercial products.
On this page, you'll find articles that discuss the general issues of selecting search software solutions. Search usability is an important topic, so articles on this issue are also listed. Finally, reviews and news of various search software products are also included.
You will not find actual search products listed on this page -- only reviews and resources. For product listings, it is highly recommended to visit the Search Tools web site, which provides comprehensive coverage of this area.
General
Search Tools
http://www.searchtools.com/
Comprehensive listings of software products, by platform or by name. There is also introductory material to search tools, product news and links to articles, resources and reviews. An outstanding resource for those interested in this topic. A must visit.
Adding Search to Your Site
WebMonkey, March 1, 2000
http://hotwired.lycos.com/webmonkey/00/09/index2a.html
Excellent guide to adding search to your web site without having to install software, written by site search maven Avi Rappoport.
Custom Inktomi
http://www.custominktomi.com/
This site is designed for those running Inktomi's enterprise search software as a site search solution. It's meant to help you spider better with the software, set meta tag controls, customize results and more.
Usability
Why Searches Fail
http://www.searchtools.com/info/whysearchesfail.html
From SearchTools.com, this report looks at the top reasons why site search fails to serve users and suggests solutions, such as search engines that offer synonym lists, stemming, spellcheckers, don't use stopwords and other advice.
Brands Suffer From Search Dysfunctions
ClickZ, Oct. 8, 2002
http://www.clickz.com/brand/brand_mkt/article.php/1477641
Improve your own internal search or risk having frustrated customers.
Why Search Engines Fail
SearchDay, Aug. 29, 2002
http://searchenginewatch.com/searchday/02/sd0829-search-failure.html
Two major research studies stress-tested web site search engines around the world, analyzing search failures and offering important insights for dramatically improving search usability.
Why Good Sites Lack Search Engines
SearchDay, August 22, 2002
http://searchenginewatch.com/searchday/02/sd0822-stools.html
A new survey attempts to explain the inexplicable: why some perfectly good web sites fail to provide a search engine to improve user navigation.
In Defense of Search
Semantic Studios, Dec. 7, 2001
http://semanticstudios.com/publications/semantics/search.html
Well-known usability expert Jared Spool could be described at anti-search. Reports from his company consistently warn that web site designers shouldn't force users to search for what they want. Instead, he tends to favor clearly-labeled navigational structures. I'd agree with much of what he says, but search still has a role to play. It's is a feature users do expect, and it can be a useful feature to offer, if done correctly. Usability analyst Peter Morville has more thoughts on why search shouldn't be ignored, in his "In Defense of Search."
Getting Them to What They Want
User Interface Engineering, Oct. 2001
http://world.std.com/~uieweb/what_they_want.htm
From usability expert Jared Spool, this report discusses the importance of good navigation, rather than running a search-centric site. It costs $25, but it's a small price for plenty of good content and advice.
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