Searching for Canadian Content on The Internet

Since the popularization of the Internet, Canadians, especially educators, have been exploring the World Wide Web.  With the huge number of search engines available to the average Internet user (more than 1500) and the numerous web site directories, finding what you want can be a daunting task - especially if you are looking for Canadian educational content.  There are, however, a number of strategies that you can use to make your search less time consuming.

            On the Internet, there are major search engines, minor search engines, and web site directories.  Major search engines like Yahoo, AltaVista, and GoTo index web sites and web pages on an international scale.  Minor search engines or net directories are somewhat more specific.  For example, Canada.com searches only Canadian web sites and Retail Canada searches for Canadian Businesses.  Web directories are usually subject specific web sites that are dedicated to linking you to other sites.

            When you begin your search, use Canadian search engines.  These search engines organize your search so that Canadian sites are given priority and often are divided into provincial sections.  For example, a Canadian web site on Canada.com is indicated by a small maple leaf.  Here are some other useful search tools for seeking Canadian content on the web -  Cantrek.com , Proud to be Canadian , Webcity and Canadian Eh!  

            If you are using major search engines like Yahoo or AltaVista select the regional or city searches.  The major search engines feature local keyword seaches, allowing web surfers to be very specific about where information will come from.  This is great when you are looking for specific educational content.  A good start is Yahoo Canada and Altavista Canada.