Search Engine vs Portal: Difference and Comparison

A Portal and a search engine are two quite different things. An Internet search engine is a computer program that scans for and finds objects in a directory that matches keywords or characters given by the user, which is used to locate specific Web sites.

Any web portal is a custom-built website that receives input from varied sources, such as emails, online communities, and internet sites, together in a homogeneous way.

Key Takeaways

  1. A search engine is a software tool that allows users to search for information on the internet. In contrast, a portal is a website that serves as a gateway to various online resources.
  2. Search engines use keywords to retrieve relevant information from the internet, while portals provide links to specific websites and online services.
  3. Search engines like Google and Bing are used to find specific information, while portals like Yahoo! and MSN offer various online services such as email, news, and weather.

Search Engine vs Portal

The difference between Search Engine and a Portal is that, as a website, search engines allow users to do information searches that are then presented on screen, whereas in a Portal, webpages containing HTML files via servers get accessed. The web portal is a more secure private location when compared to a Search engine.

Search Engine vs Portal

An Internet search engine is a computer application that allows users to search for data or stuff on the World Wide Web.

It speeds up the retrieval of information needed. Keywords, as well as phrases, can be entered, and then a list of stuff fitting such search terms will be returned to the user.

A portal is a unique location that operates as a source of access to data on the World Wide Web.

A portal’s material can only be viewed by logging in using a unique URL, username, and key identification proof. Facebook.com, Gmail.com, as well as Twitter.com, are among some prominent portals.

Comparison Table

Parameters of ComparisonSearch EnginePortal
Functioning and WorkingA search engine is just an internet-based program that permits users to explore an index of materials for a given definition, keyword, or word.Portals are private locations on the Internet wherein users have accounts to access websites.
Consists of A typical Search Engine consists of a database of materials and methods for determining which outcomes to return and ranking them for a particular query.On the other hand, a portal comprises URL, Login ID, as well as Password.
Consumer FriendlyA search engine works based on the keywords and therefore isn’t the best choice for users.Whereas a web portal is highly consumer-friendly.
Private and Non-PrivateA search engine is non-private and enables the users to search whatever they want to.Whereas a portal is a private location
ExamplesSome of the classic examples of Search Engines are google.com, bing.com, and Yahoo!Examples of Portals are twitter.com, facebook.com, and instagram.com.

What is Search Engine?

An Internet search engine is a computer application that allows users to search for data or stuff on the World Wide Web.

It speeds up the retrieval of information needed. Keywords, as well as phrases, can be entered, and then a list of stuff fitting such search terms will be returned to the user.

In this method, it does not deliver information immediately but rather retrieves pages that are relevant to keywords or other search phrases and then displays them. Google, Bing, and Yahoo! Searching engines are a few of the most prominent in their field.

An online search engine comprises mostly a collection of information and techniques that determine which outcomes to display and rank for a specific question.

To offer much more accurate results on search engines like Google, the programs must consider hundreds of parameters in its database, which contains trillions of web pages.

Users are presented with a Search Engine Results Page (SERP) whenever they input a search term into a search engine. In terms of how this position is determined, search engines have different methods.

search engine

What is Portal?

Throughout the Web, a portal is a unique location that operates as a source of access to data upon the World Wide Web.

A portal’s material can only be viewed by logging in using a unique URL, username, and key identification proof. Facebook.com, Gmail.com, as well as Twitter.com, are among some prominent portals.

Users can select data from pathways, which are customized page receptacles on the online site. The consumer can select whatever he wants from a variety of options.

Web portals that are domain-oriented can assist one in attracting users who are asking for answers and solutions in that particular domain. A certain area of the territory is so attractive.

Because its functioning is difficult to depict, web portal design and implementation are intricate crafts. Web portal creation involves many of the same procedures as website building.

Delivering superior and controlled information on a browser and extensive network, it helps to improve customer-company connections.

portal

Main Differences Between Search Engine and Portal

  1. A search engine is just an internet-based program that permits users to explore an index of materials for a given definition, keyword, or word. Whereas, Portals are private locations on the Internet wherein users have accounts to access websites.
  2. A typical Search Engine consists of a database of materials and methods for determining which outcomes to return and ranking them for a particular query. On the other hand, a portal comprises a URL, Login ID, as well as Password.
  3. A search engine works based on the keywords and therefore isn’t the best choice for users. In contrast, a web portal is highly consumer-friendly.
  4. A search engine is non-private and enables users to search for whatever they want. Whereas a portal is a private location
  5. Some of the classic examples of Search Engines are Google.com, bing.com, and Yahoo! Examples of Portals are twitter.com, facebook.com, and Instagram.com.
Difference Between Search Engine and Portal
References
  1. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S016792360600008X
  2. https://books.google.co.in/books?hl=en&lr=&id=RLpADwAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PT6&dq=What+is+a+search+engine&ots=7RPbZ4nXLP&sig=jiyzLDxCDBeB29GyFgYYbikJOPs&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q=What%20is%20a%20search%20engine&f=false

Last Updated : 31 July, 2023

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2 thoughts on “Search Engine vs Portal: Difference and Comparison”

  1. Thank you for explaining the key differences between search engines and web portals. It’s interesting to know that search engines like Google and Bing are used to find specific information, while portals like Yahoo! and MSN offer various online services such as email, news, and weather.

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