This paper presents a review of recent literature related to the retrieval tools used for searching the digitized information on the information Super Highway. Functioning of search engines i.e. methods and techniques for information retrieval are discussed. Emerging areas of web searching along with context of web search are mentioned. The relationship between use of search engines and gender of private university lecturers is looked into. The effects of using search engines on the OPAC users have been explored. The major characteristics, utilization and performance of international and Greek search engines are discussed. Factors that have effect on user evaluation, quality of search results are also presented. An assessment of the performance of three most used search engines is carried out. The performance comparison of major search engines on the basis of locating geographic web services as well as, indexing quality and ranking of XML content objects is made. Demonstration of search engine working in accessing knowledge is outlined by rank correlation analyses impact. The performance comparison of natural language (NL) search engines is accomplished. A technique for comparing search results that are pulled from different sources is described. It is also shown how social search is based on the patterns of web search behavior. In addition, taxonomy of social search and a user-centered social search method is proposed. And the search engine queries that are used to locate topic in an electronic theses and dissertations (ETDs) collection are analyzed. The WAI model is recommended as solution for barriers related to disabled person. The best practices that must be followed by information architects, webmasters, and libraries for effective information retrieval by search engines are also suggested. Recommendations lay importance on organization and classification of content with diversification. Emphasis on designing content oriented websites is made along with, proper use of keyword in content.

Keywords: Search Engines; Digital; Information; Retrieval; Internet; Google.