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B5 | Search engines

This module will teach you all about search engines and how to use them.

  • The internet is filled with so many websites that it is impossible to have an overview of them all. We use search engines to pick relevant information out of the endless possibilities on the internet. Search engines are services that search for information and media on the internet for you, whether it’s terms, keywords, or answers to complicated questions. After you have entered one or more terms in the search bar, it usually takes less than a second to display your search results as a list. You can now click and view the results that seem particularly relevant to you. In addition to websites, you can also find images, videos, news, or shopping offers.

    Because the vast majority of people use Google to search the internet, the company has even become a verb. If we search for something on the internet, we “google” it.

  • There are a few different search engine options – we will help you choose the best one for your needs. One commonality among almost all search engines is that they earn their money through advertising, which is why they’re free for you to use. It helps to think about which search engine traits are particularly important to you:

    • Data protection
    • Accurate search results
    • Social commitment

    So how do the most popular search engines fare in terms of data protection, search results, and social commitment?

    • Data protection: Google collects quite a lot of data, such as your location, your phone number, or which browser you use. This allows Google to gather a very accurate profile of its users, which is then used to generate targeted ads for you. This is why, for example, you’ll see ads for shampoo after googling “how to have hair like Heidi Klum.” According to claims from Google, however, no data is transmitted that can personally identify someone.
    • Accurate search results: Google search results are considered very accurate, and the search engine is very easy to use. This has to do in part with the amount of people who use Google, since Google learns something new with every search, and can constantly refine their algorithm.
    • Social commitment: Google does not advertise that revenue goes to social causes.

    Microsoft Bing, as the name suggests, is Microsoft’s search engine, and is based in the USA.

    • Data protection: Bing also collects an array of user data to sell to third parties for advertising purposes. Since Bing is based in the USA, the country’s less stringent data protection guidelines also apply.
    • Accurate search results: Bing’s results are also very accurate, but not quite as accurate as Google’s.
    • Social commitment: Bing does not advertise that revenue goes to social causes.

    DuckDuckGo is considered the privacy-friendly search engine alternative from the USA.

    • Privacy: DuckDuckGo strongly advertises that it attaches great importance to the protection of user data, which is why it does not collect or sell any data.
    • Accurate search results: DuckDuckGo’s search results aren’t on the same level as Google’s or Bing’s. It doesn’t collect location data, so search results can’t be specifically tailored to unique users.
    • Social commitment: DuckDuckGo does not advertise that revenue goes to social causes.

    Ecosia is a German search engine.

    • Data protection: Ecosia, like DuckDuckGo, attaches great importance to protecting the privacy of its users. No data is collected or sold.
    • Accurate search results: Ecosia’s search results are considered only satisfactory, due in part to collecting less user data that could generate better results. It is interesting to note that Ecosia runs its search through Bing.
    • Social commitment: Part of Ecosia’s proceeds funds reforestation efforts worldwide. Additionally, Ecosia aims to operate in a climate-neutral manner.

    Browser address bar

    Your browser’s address bar is the portal to a search engine that runs behind the scenes. You simply type in your search terms, and the search starts without you ever having to open a specific search engine website. You can change which search engine is linked to the address bar in your browser settings (often found in the three-dot menu).

  • Click on the squares:

  • The list of internet search results is usually infinitely long. Take a closer look at the search results to assess which results fit your needs best. Note that there are also ads embedded among the search results.

    1. Each search result will provide a link to a specific website. Take a look at the summary before you click on the link to determine if the website is relevant to you.
    2. Make sure to also check the short text that is displayed for each search result on most search engines to see if your search term appears there.
    3. Sometimes it takes extra scrutiny to distinguish advertising from the other search results. Ads often appear at the top of the search results and can be recognized by the fact that they have a slightly different color, or by a small note such as “Advertisement,” “Advertising,” or “Ad.” Ad is the short form of advertisement.

  • If you are looking for a job, you can always use the search engines mentioned above, but there are also special search engines that only show job openings. There are several different search engines for job seekers; some are general, while others are specific to certain industries.

    Here are the most well-known and largest general search engines specifically for job seekers:

    Indeed is a meta search engine that is one of the largest job search engines on the internet. A meta search engine means that companies do not post their job listings directly on Indeed, rather Indeed gathers a variety of job listings from various job boards and websites and presents them in one place. Indeed is now available in 60 countries.

    The job search engine of the Federal Employment Agency of Germany has existed for quite some time. Here, job seekers can not only search for job offers, but also publish a job request and create their own application profile. There are also numerous filters that can be applied to aid searching, and even an extra area for those interested in training programs.

    Kimeta has a strong presence in Germany and offers numerous filter options for job searches. Some employers allow you to apply directly through Kimeta. This feature is not available for all job listings, however, and must be set up by the company posting the listing.

    Monster is very successful in Germany, and since the company offers its service worldwide, you can also search for jobs in many other countries. In addition to its search engine, Monster also provides a variety of information and tips on application and career topics.

    Stepstone has been around for a very long time, and allows international job searches due to its popularity and wide reach. Stepstone offers a variety of filtering options, but requires you to register with an email address to unlock all its potential features, which is free of charge. In addition to its search engine, Stepstone also provides useful application tips and career advice.

    Email notifications

    If you would like to be regularly informed about new job offers, you can register your email address with a job search engine. That way you will always receive an email when a new job opening appears online that matches your search criteria.

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