What is the difference between a Browser and a Search Engine?
As a SEO professional, one can easily assume that people understand things you consider to be “basic”. I recently had an epiphany (nothing earth shattering). The majority of people interviewed by Google did not understand the difference between a Search Engine and a Browser. Agh! How could that be?
In most cases the term is used interchangeably. For example: a Search Engine = a Browser or alternatively a Browser = a Search Engine. Bzzzz – wrong!
Here’s my definition:
Browser: This is a tool used to “browse” the Internet. For example: Firefox (my browser of choice) is used to peruse (browse) the Internet. The other current popular web browsers include: Internet Explorer (PC only), Safari (Mac only), Flock, Opera and the new Google Chrome (only available for the PC).
Popular Web Browsers
Simple enough isn’t it? Now you have something in your repertoire for the next time you are at a cocktail party or want to impress someone with your Internet expertise and knowledge!
The following Google “on the street” interview is both humorous – and somewhat shocking.
I wonder how would Canadians do answering the same question?
WebFuel - Specializing in Search, Social Media and Web Analytics | Ottawa, Canada