Difference between revisions of "Going Beyond Google"

The Invisible Web              
By Michelle Knight
email or post a comment for me

Does Anything Exist Beyond Google?

Have you ever wondered if any great sites exist beyond Google? Yes, they do. Google relies on specialized software programs -- or spiders, as they're called -- to index sites. Sometimes technology blocks Google's spiders, or a site owner will go out of the way to ensure the site is not categorized by Google.

To find sites lost by Google, you need to look in a place called the invisible web. Deep in the invisible web lie search utilities that provide database records on specific topics, or listings of sites that have been hand-picked by a few editors, or archives of old web sites. For a general overview of this hidden side of the web, see How to Search the Invisible Web.

Sites You Won't Find in Google

Here are five sites that you will not find using Google:

1. Folkstreams: The Best of American Folklore films (archived on 5:57:27 Jun 11, 2007). - Yes the newest American Folklore films site is available by Google, but where else are you going to find "Dance for a Chicken: the Cajun Mardi Gras" at the top of the site.
2. A list of free magazine articles on the World Cup - Yes, magazine articles may seem old fashioned, but they provide great overviews for busy people. If you need to bone up about the World Cup to impress your friends or business partners, then you may wish to try one of these articles.
3. Trademark basics, lawyers, and forms all in one place. - Enter "Trademarks" in Google and this page is not among the first 10 entries.
4. Search for consumer bills here. Enter a list of consumer protection bills to be voted on in Congress here an you will get a list of current bills, sponsor and actions status. You can not do the same in Google.
5. A list of personal pages on fathering organized by the Open Source Community - Enter "father's advice" into Google and a list of sites appear as paid to and organized by Google.

The Invisible Seekers

Here are examples of sites that search the invisible web. You can use these sites to find great sites not available on Google.

1. The Internet Archive Web Archive: Around the World in 2 Billion Pages. The Internet Archive Web Archive lists older web pages from around the world.
2. {{{2}}} (visit). If you are looking for an overview from a source you can trust, magazine articles may fit the bill. The MagPortal list magazine articles on a variety of topics.
3. {{{2}}} (visit) . If you are looking for legal information all in one place, this is the place to go. Find a lawyer to consult and learn more about a legal topic.
4. Thomas. Thomas is a database containing bills and their status in Congress. If you want to know how your senator or representative stands on an issue or how close it is to law, then use this site.
5. {{{2}}} (visit) Open Directory provides a list of websites, hand-picked by the community. This directory is 100% free.