3.3.6.2 Search engines existence awareness

Another issue is the search engine existence awareness.

Most of Internet users are unaware of other search engines existence as it is showed in the following study: (URFIST de Rennes. (2008). Enquête sur les besoins de formation des doctorants à la maîtrise de l’information scientifique dans les Ecoles doctorales de Bretagne.)

Use of meta search engines

Use of specialized search engines

According to a recent study (iProspect. (2008). Blended Search Results Study – April 2008.) made in the United States on three search engines, vertical search (specialized search) are not used by 60% (including 25% who may did it without knowing). Images search is the most used with 26%, News search 17% and Video search 10%.

It seems that even among the biggest search engines, Internet users do not use complex search tools.