Solutions: Meta-Searching

Meta-searching involves searching multiple sites and comparing results. Unfortunately, many sites do not provide a consistent interface to the data behind them. Web data extraction allows information to be stored so that a meta-search site can present search results consistently and in a single location.

You can determine how data from search sites is mined and displayed using screen-scraper. Whether your search results are extracted in real-time or from a database, you can ensure that your customers experience a consistent look and feel.

Examples of using screen-scraper for meta-searching include:

• Creating a meta-search site to compare car prices
• Comparing rates for insurance quotes
• Conducting product research by mining data from several web sites