What Is a General Search Engine?
Last Updated Mar 25, 2020 11:30:09 PM ET

A general search engine is an Internet portal through which a person can search numerous compiled resources for topic-related information. Common general search engines include Google, Yahoo!, Alta Vista and Bing. To perform a search, the user enters a word or phrase.
A general search engine operates using a search algorithm. Websites that are listed in the search engine's directory are used to search for information based on various search qualities. The goal is that the user gets relevant results with useful pages. A meta search engine is a large search engine that actually searches through multiple search engine directories for information.
More From Reference

What Is an Ex-Dividend Date, and How Does It Affect Your Stocks?

What Is the Difference Between Salary and Wages?

How Many Minutes of Daylight Do We Gain Each Day? And Other Daylight Saving Time Facts

Understanding SSI: Supplemental Security Income Basics for New Applicants

What Can the History of Polio Teach Us About the Coronavirus Pandemic?

How to Use a Personal Loan Calculator