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What is the difference between a directory and a search engi

　　Generally, a directory, as used in computing and telephony, refers to a repository or database of information which is heavily optimized for reading, under the assumption that data updates are very rare compared to data reads. Commonly, a directory supports search and browsing in addition to simple lookups.

　　A website which offer access to a categorized listing of other websites optimized for lookup, search, or browsing is a directory, a web directory. The Open Directory Project is an example of a web directory.

　　Search engines use programs called Robots to visit websites and assess the content and then feed it back into their database of websites. Using many different factors and algorithms these programs decide which sites are most relevant. Directories are maintained and developed with human intervention who review website and decide on a category for a website before it is listed. The two most popular and biggest directories are DMOZ and Yahoo Directory.