Niche specific search engines

[altyfc]

Hi all

As someone that's busy running three search engines and directories that are specific to certain topics, I'd be interested to hear what people here think of this kind of SE. Do you always favour something like Google where you have everything, or do you think those sites that focus on a particular niche have a little extra to offer? Would you use a niche-specific search engine ever and, if so, under what circumstances?

Aaron

[John Scott]

I tend to stick to G/ ATW/ Ink. I think they are useful when doing more in depth research though. I remember using specific construction directories often when I was researching construction issues.

[Derf]

Like John, I really only use niche search engines when I am doing research... other than that for broad searches I am a google man.

[Thanol]

I use the DMOZ and ATW + Google for research. Pretty much if there's a niche directory there I'll try it out then move on once I'm done.

[sem4u]

Make sure that the directories can be crawled by Google. For niche products/services I sometimes end up at a specialist directory site via Google.

[al2six]

i almost always use google. when i see a niche search engine, i usually think its probably a ppc engine, so my results will be the sites that paid, not the sites that are relevant.