Vertical Search

What is Vertical Search?

Vertical search refers to specialized search engines targeted at users who want a specific type of search result or results from a specific industry. For example, while Google is a general search engine that returns multiple types of content, YouTube is a vertical search engine that only returns video results.

A vertical search engine may be custom-built. In this case, the search engine will typically look, feel, and work like a regular search engine. An example is Google Dataset Search, which looks and feels like the Google Search homepage.

A vertical search engine may also be a regular site with lots of content, a large database, and powerful search features. In this case, the site would have optimized its search feature to deliver relevant data to the searcher. Examples include Amazon, eBay, and YouTube. 

Examples of Vertical Search Engines

Vertical search engines can vary considerably. While some are built from scratch as vertical search engines, others are regular websites with excellent search features and a large database. 

1 Yelp

Yelp is a business review and social networking site that provides users with photos, reviews, and contact details of businesses within an area. However, its powerful search feature makes it a great vertical search engine for those looking for local businesses and services. 

2 Amazon

Amazon is a vertical search engine for e-commerce and online shopping. Originally an e-commerce site, its powerful search feature, detailed product descriptions, and extensive user reviews make it ideal for those looking to research a product or industry.

3 eBay

eBay is an e-commerce site that also functions as a vertical search engine for online auctions and general shopping. It enables users to buy and sell new and used goods through auctions and fixed-price listings.

4 Tripadvisor

Tripadvisor is a vertical search engine and review platform for tourists and travelers. It offers users reviews, ratings, and recommendations for hotels, restaurants, attractions, and vacation rentals, along with tools for planning their trips and booking accommodations.

5 Zillow

Zillow is a vertical search engine and real estate platform that helps users find, buy, sell, and rent properties. It offers property listings for homes and tools for estimating home values, exploring real estate market trends, and connecting with real estate professionals.

6 Etsy

Etsy is an online marketplace specializing in handmade, vintage, and unique artisanal goods, often sold by independent sellers and small businesses. It enables users to discover and connect with these creators and their products. 

7 Glassdoor

Glassdoor provides real-life insights into a company’s work culture and compensation. The reviews are first-hand experiences by current and former employees. This information helps job seekers make informed decisions about potential employers.

8 Indeed

Indeed is a job search platform that aggregates listings from various sources. It allows users to search for jobs, read company reviews, upload resumes, apply for jobs, and compare salaries. 

9 IMDb

IMDb is an online database that provides detailed information about movies, TV shows, actors, directors, and other film and television industry professionals. It includes cast and crew biographies, filmographies, ratings, reviews, and release dates. Users can also watch trailers, access industry news, and access information on upcoming releases.

10 FindLaw

FindLaw provides legal resources and tools to individuals, businesses, and legal professionals. It provides a wide range of content, including legal articles, news, and case law. It also offers a comprehensive directory of lawyers, making it a valuable legal educational resource and vertical search engine for legal services.

Examples of Google Vertical Search Engines

Google has some vertical search engines. Many of them are accessible through their own dedicated URLs. However, you may also access them by selecting any of the vertical options available at the top area of Google results pages. 

1 Google Images

Google Images enables users to search for images Google has indexed across the web. It displays image results rather than the text-based results found in the regular Google Search engine. 

2 YouTube

3 Google Dataset

Google Dataset Search is a specialized search engine for finding publicly available data. These data are typically used by researchers, academics, and data scientists. Google requires bloggers to include a Dataset Schema to content they want in its Dataset results.

4 Google News

Google News aggregates and displays news articles from various sources. These include traditional news sites and other sites that meet Google News requirements and quality standards. 

5 Google Books

Google Books allows visitors to search, preview, and read books and magazines that Google has scanned and indexed. Users can read previews or full versions of the books, depending on copyright restrictions. 

6 Google Flights

Google Flights allows users to search for and compare flight prices and schedules from multiple airlines and travel agencies. It also offers features like price tracking and flight alerts to assist users in planning their trips.

7 Google Maps

Google Maps is a mapping service that provides users with maps, satellite imagery, and street views of a location or area. It also allows users to get directions, view traffic conditions, and explore businesses, restaurants, and other businesses and landmarks of interest. 

8 Google Scholar

Google Scholar is a vertical search engine for discovering scholarly journals, conference papers, books, and patents Google has indexed. The documents are typically sourced from sites belonging to universities, professional organizations, and academic publishers. 

9 Google Finance

Google Finance provides users with real-time financial information, including stock prices, news, and company performance metrics. It also provides tools for tracking stocks, analyzing market trends, and managing investment portfolios.

10 Google Jobs

Google Jobs aggregates job listings from various sources, including the employer’s own site and online job boards. This allows jobseekers and other users to search for job openings based on criteria like location, job type, and industry.