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Web Directories 

It is estimated that there are over 12 billion pages posted on the "Surface Web".  Even Google, the largest search engine indexes under 9 billion, so in reality any search engine can only find a fraction of available Web content. Another 200 billion pages are buried in the "Deep Web," database-driven content that search engines cannot crawl. Most search engines are designed to meet the needs of surfers looking for news, sports, weather, chat and Web sites about their favorite media personality. So, how can you find the factual, subject specific information you need for research purposes? 

What you need is a research tool that searches for information that general search engines can't find. You need subject specific directories or subject trees, guides that are designed by real people who know the subject and can uncover those hidden sites. Search engines only match the terms you enter to a page, regardless of quality. Human-designed  directories are prepared by subject experts who evaluate the quality of the information on entire sites. 

Subject organized directories are useful if you:

• Have a broad topic and need to narrow it down to a more manageable aspect

• Want to find only quality, evaluated sites

• Prefer quality sites over a mass listing of sites that are of questionable value

While there are more of these directories than you think, the titles listed below are generally regarded as the best ones available. They each have their own focus, so if one doesn't work for your particular topic, try another one. 

 

Internet Public Library	WWW Virtual Library	Digital Librarian
Info Mine	LookSmart	About
Cyber Stacks	Librarians' Internet Index	Open Directory
Hot Topics (sciences)	BUBL	Academic Info