Thanks to a former colleague: Jeroen Fossaert, I'm now fully into exploring the so-called deep web. I've read his blog post on deep web search, and now I'm exploring this world beyond. Word goes that the information underneath the surface or normally searchable web is about 500 times larger!

Anyway, these search engines that go a step further than Google or Yahoo prove to be an interesting search tool. As the 'traditional' search engines do not go into databases such as Facebook, deep web search engines also search resources that are not easily or entirely accessible or searchable from general search tools. And as we all know that these online social networks become more and more important, it's a good thing that they are also searchable...

Or not?

A question might be: What about the ethics? Would you feel comfortable knowing that your boss is checking your holiday pictures, even though you've posted them on a so-called secure group? Or that you've posted them 3 years ago?

As a recruiter, I believe it is my duty to check out information about the candidate, but keeping in mind what is relevant for the position. Should I not propose the candidate to our client because I've seen a picture of him being drunk at a party?...

A fair argument may be: as an individual, posting pictures, texts or other information on the web, you als have to take your own responsibilty. Maybe even this blog will still be searchable, even when I've closed it down... So that's the responsibility I take. (No, I will not post pictures of myself being drunk at a party ;-), nor will I post pictures of somebody else ... without their consent).

Anyway, this deep web search is not new at all, but ff you haven't tried it before, this site is definitely worth trying out on your next recruitment assignment: www.pipl.com

Or, for more references: just check out Wikipedia on the subject.