3.4.4

Search Engine Indexing

Test yourself

Search Engine Indexing

In order for search engines to find useful results when users carry out web searches, they have to store details of as many web pages as possible.

Illustrative background for IndexingIllustrative background for Indexing ?? "content

Indexing

  • In order for search engines to find useful results when users carry out web searches, they have to store details of as many web pages as possible.
  • Search engine indexing refers to the methods used to maintain such a database.
  • Search engine indexing allows results to be found efficiently.
Illustrative background for Web crawlersIllustrative background for Web crawlers ?? "content

Web crawlers

  • Search engines make use of software known as web crawlers, which traverse the web by visiting web pages and following the links contained on each.
  • The web crawlers store key information about each page in an index.
  • This is then used by the search engine to find results for a web user’s search.
Illustrative background for Indexed informationIllustrative background for Indexed information ?? "content

Indexed information

  • The information stored may include:
    • Keywords in the webpage.
    • Meta tags within the code of the page.
    • How recently the website is updated.

Jump to other topics

1Components of a Computer

2Software & Software Development

3Exchanging Data

4Data Types, Data Structures & Algorithms

5Legal, Moral, Cultural & Ethical Issues

6Elements of Computational Thinking

6.1Thinking Abstractly

6.2Thinking Ahead

6.3Thinking Procedurally

6.4Thinking Logically

6.5Thinking Concurrently

7Problem Solving & Programming

8Algorithms

Unlock your full potential with Seneca Premium

  • Unlimited access to 10,000+ open-ended exam questions

  • Mini-mock exams based on your study history

  • Unlock 800+ premium courses & e-books

Get started with Seneca Premium