Use Vertical Search Engines for More Specialized Search Results

Google currently receives more than 60% of the search engine traffic on the Internet, but experts believe that this trend will change as vertical search engines gain in popularity. Internet users are looking for specialized results that apply directly to their keywords and search queries, which is what vertical search engines are designed to do.

A vertical search engine is essentially a subject-specific search engine that applies search queries to a particular area or industry. For example, FindLaw.com is a vertical search engine designed to locate attorneys and law firms in specific areas of the country (and by practice), as well as legal forms, law books and other important information that can help those in legal trouble.

When you use a vertical search engine, you are guaranteed more specialized results that will actually give you the information you are seeking---or point you in the direction of where to find it. Google might pull up relevant results, but you'll also have to sift through the sites that want you to invest in something, join a mailing list or purchase a product you don't want.

The problem with vertical search engines, however, is that very few people know the exist, and if they do, aren't familiar with how to use them effectively. The purpose of this valuable tool is to return more specialized results within a certain search query, which could mean more accurate results and even more accurate information. In many cases, the designers of vertical search engines specifically weed out the "junk" for their users to avoid wading through the "junk sites".

For example, TopTenWholesale.com is a vertical search engine created by Jason Prescott, who was named one of the "Top 40 Under 40" by San Diego Metropolitan Magazine. The site is designed to return specialized results for wholesalers who are willing to sell merchandise to new retailers. Prescott and his team of techies have worked to eliminate the scam artists and fraudulent Web sites so that your searches return safer results.