When people want to find something online, they usually start by typing it into a search engine. But there is a much better way to find information online – the web directory.

Search engines are extremely inefficient because they are setup based on keywords. The engine pulls up the websites containing the keywords in the order that they are most clicked on for that keyword search. But this search method is extremely imprecise and easy to cheat. Many spam or fraudulent sites have employees hired just to “bomb” search engines. Bombing a search engine involves manipulating the engine to pull up their links first. So the first ten or so links of a search may just be advertisers trying to sell their product.

Also, search engines can be extremely imprecise and return a lot of unneeded information or links. Then the user has to sift through hundreds of articles in hope of finding just a few that they’re looking for. And of course, with a search engine there is no room for browsing or being unsure about what you’re looking for.

Looking for something using a search engine is similar to picking a shelf at random in a library and being stuck looking at only those books to find what you need. But the web has its own version of the library card catalog – and that’s the web directory.

All of these things can be avoiding by using a web directory instead of a search engine. Although they are not as well-known as the major search engines like Google or Yahoo!, web directories offer a much more convenient and reliable method of retrieving data.

Web directories work like virtual filing cabinets. They organize articles, web sites, and links into categories so it is easier to go directly to the information needed.

First, good web directories are maintained by people not equations. With a web directory real, live editors review every link before agreeing to put it in a category. That ensures that spam sites are unable to cheat the system, because the web directory has to approve its inclusion. Also, categories are usually limited by link. That means one link is usually put in only a few categories to ensure the most accurate organization.

Second, web directories allow you to browse. If you’re not entirely certain what you are looking for, you can easily browse in a similar category on a web directory. For example, if you are looking for a bed and breakfast in Cost Rica, you can look in a category that lists a number lodging possibilities in Costa Rica instead of going through all sorts of different websites with sometimes completely irrelevant subjects. That means you have more freedom to find something that’s right for you.

Third, web directories incorporate all kinds of media into their categories. This means you never have to do a separate search for a video, image, or web page. Web directories will include all of these materials within the same category. If you want to read about Egypt, you merely click on the category to see videos, pictures, and links – no separate search required.

Web directories offer many advantages over search engines. Especially for those that want the most accurate and comprehensive information.