Introduction: The Internet is a dynamic environment which is continuously being updated. Search engines have been, currently are and in all probability will continue to be the most popular systems in this information cosmos. Method: In this work, special attention has been paid to the series of changes made to search engines up to this point, which are currently in common usage; we also consider the objectives set for an immediate future in which, undoubtedly, searches will be increasingly attuned to user needs. Analysis and Results: Since they originated, these information recovery systems have seen developments in their search algorithms and interfaces for presentation of results whilst their users' information seeking behaviour has changed substantially, making it possible to distinguish up to three generations (the latest of these is still being developed). Changes in users' habits and routines when interacting with these systems show a road map which is increasingly concerned with improving the searching experience. Conclusions: Therefore, we are dealing not only with technological development, but also with an evolving process with regard to the use of information, in turn leading to a new Internet search paradigm. (Contains 1 table and 9 figures.)