| So, what is a search engine and what does it do? | | | | are free .Scope of integration are not much, since its |
| (and – can I run my own search engine on my | | | | an AJAX API. Provides Developer Key,commercial |
| domain – an analysis) | | | | licensing is unknown. Website is |
| Search engine is a program or a tool that searches for | | | | Features of Gigablast API |
| the information on the Internet based on the words | | | | Gigablast API result relevancy is very bad as |
| which user insert into the search box. After the words | | | | compared to other APIs, speed is quite ok (2-4 |
| are inserted into the search box and when you click | | | | Seconds).Displays results in XML format which is very |
| on search button the search engine looks into its own | | | | flexible to the user, and has a limit on number of |
| database to find out whether it contains those | | | | queries though based upon Payment. Downside is: Too |
| information which the user is actually looking for. | | | | Expensive .The XML API is a wide integration in |
| There are many major search engines of the web. | | | | almost all languages – Java, Php, Flash, ASP, AJAX |
| Why are these considered to be "major" search | | | | etc...Provides developer key. |
| engines? Because they are either well known or well | | | | Commercial Licensing is also provided on request. |
| used like Google and Yahoo. But then, there are lots of | | | | Website- |
| other search engines as well, for eg: DogPile is a | | | | Features of Alexa API |
| search engine that is based on MetaSearch (a search | | | | Alexa API result relevancy is also quite good, speed is |
| engine pulling out results from other search engines) | | | | fast(1-2 seconds).It is a paid API(Through |
| also among those who are “TRUE” search | | | | Amazon),displays results in XML formats and very |
| engines (Search engines having their own database | | | | flexible to user – has limit on number of queries |
| index are search engines like Exalead & Dhoondho ( ). | | | | though based upon payment. Downside: Too |
| Among the newer search engines, Dhoondho is a fast | | | | Expensive. Scope of integration and developer key |
| growing search engine. It has a very useful feature for | | | | both are unknown. Commercial licensing are provided |
| developers called as a “Search API” ( ). Using | | | | on request. Website- |
| this Software Developers/companies can use the | | | | Features of Dhoondho API |
| vast Internet knowledge of Dhoondho, to perform | | | | Dhoondho API result relevancy is quite good, speed is |
| Internet related searches & then act upon the | | | | very fast (1-2 seconds).Display results in XML format, |
| information received. Using this custom search engines | | | | very flexible to user and has limit on number of queries |
| can be built, documents can be searched for, all in a | | | | though based upon Payment. Decently priced at 150 |
| very convenient XML API. | | | | USD / month for 10 GB worth of Data Transfer. XML |
| Lets look at a sample search engine & see why lots | | | | API provides for a wide integration in almost all |
| of people like ( are creating their own custom Search | | | | languages – Java, Php, Flash, ASP, AJAX |
| engines | | | | etc...Developer key is provided. . Free sample |
| Search engines such as Google, Yahoo(Yahoo was a | | | | integration script is provided with Instant Download and |
| directory & now a search engine) & Dhoondho search | | | | no registration is required. URL: For Commercial |
| engine uses a web crawler as its web-indexing robot, | | | | Licensing Online registration should be done |
| which is known as spiders, or crawler, which comb the | | | | Website - |
| Internet looking for documents and their web | | | | NOTE: Tests are as per what we felt during our trial |
| addresses. However, different search engines have | | | | of the above APIs. There is no guarantee that the |
| their own ways of finding relevance. For eg: Google | | | | same comparison willhold in the future or was in the |
| uses – Page rank, I’m not sure what the others | | | | past. Users are advised to carry out their own tests |
| use though but Dhoondho seems to be using | | | | before settling on an API. The Author or the publisher |
| something called the “Relevance Rank” More | | | | of this article refuses to be blamed for any damages |
| details here - | | | | arising from any of the above APIs. This is put here as |
| Features of Google API | | | | a disclaimer to absolve us of any damages arising of |
| Google API result relevancy is Very good, speed is | | | | use f this information & to make all the Lawyers who |
| very fast (1-2 seconds).Displays results in AJAX API | | | | want to sue us for providing our own views, un-happy. |
| which is not very flexible. Certain no of queries per day | | | | |