Multiple search engines are not the place for precision searching.   Generally, only the top 10-50 hits are returned, and Boolean and phrase searching are not always carried out as they would be in the individual search engine.   Multiple search  engines are useful for finding the obscure and esoteric topics. Read the excellent article about multiple search engines by Greg Notess which explains their limitations before relying on their results. Some of the newer meta-search tools have exciting features such as clustered or mapped results.  The mapped results in Kartoo.com present a visual representation of search results.
 
 

Newer Meta Search Tools-- Clustering and mapping

• Kartoo.com

This meta search makes you appreciate the phrase "weaving the Web".  It presents its results as a map.  This meta search has advanced search features as well.
• Vivisimo

Vivisimo was named the best meta search engine by Search Engine Watch in 2001. This engines arranges results in custom folders, and allows you to preview results in new window or in a  full window.

• ixquick.com

This is a great meta-search engine which won top honours in the meta-search category from Search Engine Watch in 2000.  It is fast and clearly lets you identify the engine that provided the search results. Its star rating system lets you see which engines are identifying the hit as relevant.
• Query Server (Open Text)
  This top-rated, meta-search queries multiple seach engines, and clusters the results.  It also identifies the source of the hits. This meta-search tool can be directed to specific channels:news, health, money, and government, as well as the Web.

Search a specific channel, i.e., encyclopedias, recipes, autos and so on.  You can also perform meta image search with some of these engines or choose which engine you want these meta-tools to search.

• Mamma

Has an image search option as well as a  Power search option.
• MetaEureka

An excellent meta-search with capabilities to meta search encyclopedias, pictures etc..
• Metor

An excellent meta-search with different channels: encyclopedias, recipes, cars, downloads, etc...

• Debriefing
• Debriefing ( French Meta Search)
• DogPile
• Highway 61
• 1Blink
• Infodump
• Metacrawler
• ProFusion
• Surfy Classic

50 engines, 1 prompt
• SurfWax

Searches both the visible and the invisible Web.
• Webtaxi

• Dylar's Search Engines

• Liu, J. (2001). Meta-search engines. Indiana University.
• Notess, G. (1999- 2002). Multiple Search Engines
• U.C. Berkeley. Meta-Search Engines

An explanation of what they are and how to use them. This site includes a guide to the features of some of the best meta-search engines.

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