Objectively Comparing Competing Search Engines?

aendeuryu asks: "My default search engine of choice is, like most of you I assume, Google. That said, some complaints about Google over the years do seem to have some merit -- basically, that sometimes the indices aren't always updated, that it's too easy to manipulate via googlebombing or legislation, and that maybe too many of its featured services never get out of beta stage. Maybe the fact that Google has gone so long without significant competition is enough to make one at least begin to ask questions about it possibly becoming stagnant. Personally, I'm so used to doing things the Google way (and achieving acceptable results quickly) that I'm not really interested in switching -- case in point, all the above links referenced were quickly found via Google. However, what am I missing out on by not giving (for example) Yahoo search a shot? Or, more to the point, how would one go about trying to effectively and objectively compare competing search engines? In what areas have people found Google to have become obsolete for their purposes? Have less ignorant people than myself figured out ways to test a competing search engine's efficacy for themselves?"

Comments

Re:Dont bother

[mspohr]

Results of Google search:

Product search results for why are flamingo pink

Pearl Ex Powdered Pigments - .75 oz. jar flamingo pink - $4.16 - Mister Art Pretty Pyrex "Flamingo Pink" 2 Qt. Oven Ware Bowl - $9.00 - GoAntiques

Heisey pleat & panel-flamingo pink - Compote with lid 8 1/4" - $149.95 - Replacements.com

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1951 Wedgewood - Custom Flamingo Pink Porcelain 24k - Cached - Similar pages

... time for a new search engine.