Search engines such as Google, Bing, and Duck Duck Go use scripts to send out "crawlers" or "spiders" to find, index, organize, and rank the content that exists on the internet. Based on the terms in your search, the search engine will return results according to ranking algorithms.
What about tracking?
Most search engines track your search activity to learn more about you as you search. For example, in "How Search Algorithms Work," Google notes that they use your location, past search history, and search settings to customize your search results. If you want to try a search engine that doesn't track, store, or sell your search activity, try Duck Duck Go.
Looking for statistics? The open web is a great place to find statistics published by established and respected organizations. It is also a place where you might find some statistics that are false or misleading. How can you know what to use? Here is a list of sources known for being reliable sources of statistics:
INTERNATIONAL DATA COLLECTIONS
SOME DATA COLLECTIONS SPECIFIC TO THE UNITED STATES
NYC AND LONG ISLAND DATA
Want to explore a variety of public data collections? Try Google's Public Data Explorer.
SOME LIBRARY DATABASES WITH STATISTICS (not on the open web)
Library Administration: 631.632.7100
