Vertical Search Engines
Are they a part of your marketing mix?
Have you ever heard of them or even know what they are?
Vertical search engines are similar to Google, Yahoo, MSN... but they only index specific content and often include documents and web pages that the major search engines can't get to (this is referred to as 'the hidden web' - things that are behind firewalls or password protected areas).
While it's important to have a presence on directories like Yahoo! and DMOZ, and search engines like Google, it's also becoming important in the plastics industry to be found through vertical search engines and b2b engines.
Here are a few examples:
- Business.com - A business search engine and directory designed to help its users find the companies, products, services, and information.
- GlobalSpec - Searchable engineering catalogs, thousands of products from hundreds of suppliers.
- IDES.com - A plastics industry search engine that only includes search results from plastics-related websites.
Vertical search engines are becoming important and are attracting more users because the user is able to find more relevant information vs. the wider-range engines that are more b2c consumer based.
Some examples, trying search the following on Google, Yahoo or MSN:
Now try them on the verticals:
So, is it important for your company to be included in these vertical search engines? If so, there are several ways to become a part of their index. You can always advertise, but in some cases you just need to contact them and ask to be included.
- Nathan
pottern@ides.com | www.ides.com
