search
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Search" generally means examining or exploring something to locate a specific item or piece of information. It applies to everyday tasks like looking for a file, person, or answer.
2. In Technology: Search Engines
If you're referring to online search:
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A search engine is a software system designed to find relevant web pages and other content based on what you type into a search box. It uses processes like web crawling, indexing, and query processing. WikipediaLifewire
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As of May 2025, Google held about 89–90% of the global search engine market share—just below the 90% mark—while competitors like Bing (~4%), Yandex (~2.5%), Yahoo! (~1.3%), DuckDuckGo (~0.8%), and Baidu (~0.7%) lagged behind. Wikipedia
3. In Computer Science: Search Algorithms
In programming and algorithms, "search" refers to methods for locating data within structures:
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Binary search is a highly efficient algorithm that works on sorted arrays. It finds the position of a target value by repeatedly dividing the search interval in half until the target is found or the interval is empty. Wikipedia
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Other fundamentals include linear search (checking items one by one) and variations built for different data structures like trees, hash tables, and more advanced systems.
4. In SEO & Digital Marketing: Search Terms / Queries
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A search term (also known as a query, keyword, or keyphrase) is what a user enters into a search engine. It reflects the user's intent and helps search engines deliver relevant results. Rank Math
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Understanding which search terms people use can help businesses tailor content, improve SEO, and optimize advertising. Rank Math
Summary Table
| Context | Meaning of "Search" |
|---|---|
| Everyday language | Looking for something or someone |
| Online / Web | Using a search engine to find information on the internet |
| Computer Science | Employing algorithms to locate data efficiently in structures like arrays |
| SEO / Marketing | The words or phrases users enter in search engines (keywords or queries) |