Search Tips for Internet Efficiency

 

Many of you spend hours looking for information on the internet.  You click and link and click and link, but it’s hard to find exactly the right kinds of information!  Have no fear, it’s out there – you just have to train yourself how to search more efficiently.  Here are five suggestions to make your next researching endeavor a little more effective.

 

1.    Use only words that you want results for.

Remember that search engines will usually respond and include ALL the words that you typed into your search query.  Unless you specifically type what to look for and what not to look for, the search engine will search for all words in your query.

 

For Example:  If you type in inhumane practices with lab rats, you may get websites that deal specifically with labs, with rats, with practices, or with inhumane whatevers.

 

2.     Be specific! 

When searching the internet, you must always have a topic.  This topic must be put into a phrase or keyword so the search engine knows what to look for.  The more specific you are with your phrase or keywords, the higher your chances are for finding something that you can use.

 

For Example:  Keyword Search bottle nose dolphin rather than just dolphin.

 

3.      Boolean!  Boolean!  Boolean!

If it’s an option (and it usually is), a Boolean search query is the way to go.  This type of search is an advanced search option that allows you to include a variety of topics and exclude words that you do not want results for. 

 

For Example:  Use AND when you want more than one phrase or keyword.

                        Use NOT when you do not want some phrase or word in your results.

                        Use OR when the search can be one or another term.

                        Use “Quoatation Marks” around exact phrases.

 

                        Lawyers AND job description

                        Lawyers NOT seeking job opportunity

                        Lawyers OR public defender

                        “Law School Education”

 

4.     Use your math symbols.

Search engines recognize math symbols like the + and -.  Use these keys just like a Boolean search.  The symbol must be immediately in front of the word you want to find or exclude.

 

For Example:  If you want to find results for the ARMY, it will look like this

                                                +ARMY

                        If you do NOT want to find results for the NAVY, it will look like this

                                                -NAVY

 

5.     If it’s an option, do an Advanced Search. 

Many search engines offer an advanced search query.  With an advanced search, the engine provides the different “categories” of words and phrases.  The advanced search may have a bar where you can type words that you want to look for, a bar where you can type words you don’t want to look for, and various in-betweens. 

 

For Example:  A Google.com advanced search looks something like this:

                       

with all of the words

with the exact phrase

with at least one of the words

without the words