Search Tools

If you live online, chances are you use Google.

Like, a lot.

Alphabet Inc. has Googlefied our daily lives – from browser to email and all the way to online web search. Google is even in every nook and cranny of smartphones running Android. The search giant is also in our homes, controlling the lights and giving us weather updates.

Soon, we’ll all be riding in a driverless, AI-powered smart car made by, you guessed it, Google! Imagine that. From our home to our commute to work and even in the office (Google Business), Google is with us.

Convenient? A lot. Creepy? Heck yeah! It’s like a page from a dystopian science fiction novel where AI gains awareness and takes over.

But this is a story for another day. The question/story for now is:

What if Google Can’t Find What You’re Looking For?

Despite appearances, Google isn’t omnipresent. At least, not yet. So there are areas of the web that are best searched using a “niche” search engine. Niche search engines are alternatives to Google that only focus on a specific web query.

If you were looking for the “best fake mustaches” for example, there might be a site dedicated to scouring the web for that topic. There are plenty of potential niches out there, from people directory to GIF searches.

Let’s take a look at some of them.

1. NASA Images

Are you into anything outer space? Head on over to NASA’s Images website for a dose of interstellar bliss. The site houses more than 140,000 images, videos and audio files of the agency’s many space missions. NASA is really the coolest government agency there is, period!

The space agency’s collection is enormous and sourced from over 60 different locations. The search bar will save you a lot of time during your search, but please take the time to read the Usage Guidelines at the bottom of the page.

2. Giphy

If you’re looking for the perfect GIF, look no further than Giphy. It houses the biggest collection of GIFs on the internet, and everyone in the know uses it. From Reddit users to Twitter addicts, Giphy is the go-to site for GIFs. You can even create your own GIF and upload it to the site!

3. Facebook

Looking for someone? You’re going to need for that a people directory search engine like this. There are plenty of free and paid sites that are easy to use and do the job well. But for a truly, global search, all you need to do is turn to the 800 lb. gorilla in the room to find someone – Facebook.

There’s more to Facebook than meets the eye. Use the “Graph Search” feature to find people based on their location, visited places, interests, and work experience. Facebook engineers designed Graph Search to offer results for native language queries. Use the Find Friends feature for even more filter options.

4. iFind3D

Into 3D modeling? There’s a search engine for that! While not totally mainstream and still in beta, iFind3D is a haven for 3D inspiration. It has close to a million different model collections, both free and paid. You can download and save files on your computer for later use.

5. Just Watch

Thanks to online streaming services, cable TV is dying and will soon be obsolete. If you severed ties with the cable company, you’re going to need a source for all your favorite movies and TV shows. Just watch is a site that offers updated sources for what’s streaming in your area.

This isn’t an illegal site. It searches all sources that currently stream what you want to watch – from Netflix, Google Play, Apple and others. It even has trailers, a synopsis and price listings!

The IMBD and Rotten Tomatoes filter is fantastic.

Conclusion

There’s no denying that Google is massive, especially when it comes to online search. After all, web search is where they earned their stripes. When anyone needs to find anything online, they turn to uncle Google.

But there are other niche search engines out there if Google can’t find what you’re looking for. If Google can’t find what you’re looking for or if you’re looking for an alternative, try out our list and see if it works for you.

Author: Ben Hartwig

Ben is a Digital Overlord and Chief Security Officer at InfoTracer who takes a wide view from whole system. He authors guides on entire security posture, both physical and cyber. Enjoys sharing the best practices and does it the right way!