For each of the top ten search sites, here is the inside story: links to the best resources about each engine and directory, including how to get started, advanced techniques, tips and tricks, how to get listed, and recent news. Get to know two or three of these top choices intimately, and most of your Web search needs will be covered.

AllTheWeb (FAST)

The chief rival to Google for search engine supremacy is AllTheWeb, which has moved ahead of fading contenders like AltaVista and Excite by focusing attention on raw search power and ease of use.

AltaVista

AltaVista began as a technology demonstration for hardware maker Digital (DEC) in the early days of the Web. For a couple of years, it was the biggest and fastest of the crawlers, a title it has given up to Google. It transformed itself as a portal, and now seeks to re-assert its role as an all-powerful search service.

Google

This is currently the one to beat: bigger, deeper, faster, more relevant and richer in features than all the other search engines. Google is a Web crawler, with an index that encompasses the full text of 1.4 billion HTML pages and PDF files. If you don't already use Google, get to know it soon!

HotBot

Although HotBot is now owned by Lycos (it began in 1996 as part of Wired's online services), it remains an independent search engine with unique power search capabilities. From the main page, you can define the style, date range, language, category, and results options for your search. Results come from Direct Hit, Inktomi and Open Directory.

LookSmart

LookSmart is a key Web directory. It began as a specialized venture funded by Reader's Digest, and it has grown to a position of dominance by providing its annotated listings to major portals such as MSN.com, AltaVista and Excite, as well as to nearly 400 ISPs. LookSmart also operates the Zeal.com search community.

Lycos

Lycos is a hybrid of directory and search engine, with the emphasis in recent years on the directory function. The main directory listings come from the Open Directory (ODP - see below), and engine results come from the Lycos crawler index, with additional results from FAST and Direct Hit.

Open Directory (ODP)

Netscape's Open Directory Project is huge, open-access, open-source, democratically-operated directory. 35,000 volunteer editors manage ODP's 350,000 categories, and thousands of search sites use this directory as a data source, including Google, HotBot and Netscape Search.

Overture

Overture (formerly GoTo.com) invented the pay-per-click or pay-for-placement model of keyword-based advertising on search engines in 1998. It's still the biggest paid-listing search service today. Get the most out of Overture with these links and resources.

Yahoo!

Yahoo! was the first Web directory, it's still the most popular search site on the Internet, and for some purposes it remains the best of the best. More than any other directory or engine, Yahoo! has become a true portal and content site. Its personalization features lead the pack.