ZapMeta Meta-Search Offers Nice Set of Web Features

As I've said before, I'm not a big meta-search engine fan. I can usually find what I want using one search engine. But when you show me a meta-search that offers a nice selection of search engines to choose from -- including Gigablast, Teoma, and AlltheWeb -- AND offers result snapshots AND offers related searches AND offers a quick view that pops up the page under the search result.... well, cripes. And I'm not even mentioning the Boolean searches you'll get at ZapMeta ( http://www.zapmeta.com/ ).

You can just start from the front page and enter a search, but I don't recommend it. Instead set your preferences (I like that option to get all results on a page, instead of only up to 100) and note the search engine options you get. Gigablast isn't on by default. Also turn the Show Webpage Image if you've got a high-speed connection (if you don't, this can make the results page load really sloooowly.)

Now run a search. Sponsored results are at the top of the page with an orange banner. Regular results are beneath that with a blue banner. Related searches are over on the right. Results include a snapshot of the site if you've turned that on, title, description, link to older versions in the Web archive, title, description, URL, and which engines the results came from. And there's also this nifty JavaScript thing called QuickView. Click on it and the page will pop into this window underneath the search result. From there you'll have two additional options -- to maximize it or to bookmark the page (though I think the Bookmark the Page thing works only with IE.)

This is a good one. I like the mix of search engines that are offered, I like the way the preferences are set up, and I like the amount of attention that's been put into generating a useful, informative set of search results. Try this one.

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