What is a search engine?

A search engine is a software application or online service that allows users to search for information on the internet by entering keywords or queries. It scans and indexes websites and web content, creating a database of searchable information. When a user enters a query, the search engine retrieves and presents a list of relevant web pages and other content based on its indexing algorithms. Popular search engines include Google, Bing, and Yahoo, and they play a central role in helping users find information, websites, and resources on the World Wide Web.