Abstract
Our study examined the overlap among results retrieved by three major Web search engines for a large set of more than 10,316 queries. Previous smaller studies have discussed the lack of overlap in results returned by Web search engines for the same queries. Our large-scale study measured the overlap of first page results (both non-sponsored and sponsored) across three major Web search engines - Google, Ask Jeeves and Yahoo - using a large number of randomly selected Dogpile.com queries submitted within a 24 hour - 36 hour period. We then compared the results to results retrieved for the same queries from the meta-search engine Dogpile.com. The percent of total results unique to only one of the three major Web search engines was 85%. 12% of total search results were found on two of the three Web search engines, and 3% of results were found across all three Web search engines. This small level of overlap reflects major differences in Web search engines retrieval and ranking results. Results point to the value of meta-search engines in Web retrieval to overcome the biases of individual search engines.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | Proceedings - Third International Conference onInformation Technology: New Generations, ITNG 2006 |
| Pages | 370-374 |
| Number of pages | 5 |
| Volume | 2006 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 2006 |
| Externally published | Yes |
| Event | Third International Conference on Information Technology: New Generations, ITNG 2006 - Las Vegas, NV Duration: 10 Apr 2006 → 12 Apr 2006 |
Other
| Other | Third International Conference on Information Technology: New Generations, ITNG 2006 |
|---|---|
| City | Las Vegas, NV |
| Period | 10/4/06 → 12/4/06 |
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ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Engineering(all)
Cite this
Overlap among major Web search engines. / Spink, Amanda; Jansen, Bernard; Blakely, Chris; Koshman, Sherry.
Proceedings - Third International Conference onInformation Technology: New Generations, ITNG 2006. Vol. 2006 2006. p. 370-374 1611621.Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution
}
TY - GEN
T1 - Overlap among major Web search engines
AU - Spink, Amanda
AU - Jansen, Bernard
AU - Blakely, Chris
AU - Koshman, Sherry
PY - 2006
Y1 - 2006
N2 - Our study examined the overlap among results retrieved by three major Web search engines for a large set of more than 10,316 queries. Previous smaller studies have discussed the lack of overlap in results returned by Web search engines for the same queries. Our large-scale study measured the overlap of first page results (both non-sponsored and sponsored) across three major Web search engines - Google, Ask Jeeves and Yahoo - using a large number of randomly selected Dogpile.com queries submitted within a 24 hour - 36 hour period. We then compared the results to results retrieved for the same queries from the meta-search engine Dogpile.com. The percent of total results unique to only one of the three major Web search engines was 85%. 12% of total search results were found on two of the three Web search engines, and 3% of results were found across all three Web search engines. This small level of overlap reflects major differences in Web search engines retrieval and ranking results. Results point to the value of meta-search engines in Web retrieval to overcome the biases of individual search engines.
AB - Our study examined the overlap among results retrieved by three major Web search engines for a large set of more than 10,316 queries. Previous smaller studies have discussed the lack of overlap in results returned by Web search engines for the same queries. Our large-scale study measured the overlap of first page results (both non-sponsored and sponsored) across three major Web search engines - Google, Ask Jeeves and Yahoo - using a large number of randomly selected Dogpile.com queries submitted within a 24 hour - 36 hour period. We then compared the results to results retrieved for the same queries from the meta-search engine Dogpile.com. The percent of total results unique to only one of the three major Web search engines was 85%. 12% of total search results were found on two of the three Web search engines, and 3% of results were found across all three Web search engines. This small level of overlap reflects major differences in Web search engines retrieval and ranking results. Results point to the value of meta-search engines in Web retrieval to overcome the biases of individual search engines.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=33750820386&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=33750820386&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1109/ITNG.2006.117
DO - 10.1109/ITNG.2006.117
M3 - Conference contribution
AN - SCOPUS:33750820386
SN - 0769524974
SN - 9780769524979
VL - 2006
SP - 370
EP - 374
BT - Proceedings - Third International Conference onInformation Technology: New Generations, ITNG 2006
ER -