| Search engines are useful tools aimed at helping users find information they want. Search engines make a database of websites by sending "spiders" or "robots" which crawl through the Web, going from link to link. When they get to a site, they index most words available. When you use a search engine, the engine scans its database of sites to match your keywords to those same keywords in pages in the data bank.
Basic search tips
It is easy and simple to improve your search results. You simply need to know some basics. Some search engines have step-by-step guides to do this but for others you have to enter proper commands. Below you'll find some basic commands that work in most of the major search engines.
- Specify what you're looking for
The more specific you are, the more info you'll find. Tell the search engine exactly what you're seeking. Fir instance, if you're looking for science experiments, enter School Science Fair Projects alternatively of science projects. If you know it's a physics experiment, add the word 'physics' to your search.
- The + symbol
The most important words in your search should be placed first. For the search engine to find pages with all the words you're seeking, use the + symbol in front of each word. Fir instance, if you're searching for info on Angelina Jolie and Bred Pitt, then enter +Jolie +Pitt. Only pages that have both words will be found.
- The - symbol
If you're searching for something specific but don't need tons of other info that's not related to your subject, use the - symbol in front of each term. Fir instance, if you're seeking information on Roger Federer but don't want to read about his charity work, enter Roger Federer -Charity Work.
- Using quotation marks
When search terms are put in quotation marks, it's called a "phrase search." The search engine will provide pages that have the terms in the exact order as in quotation marks. For example, if you're searching specifically for a biography on Misha Barton, enter "Misha Barton Biography" and see what comes up.
- Combining Symbols
Once you have found out how the above symbols work, try combining them for better search results. A better search, than subtracting words, may be to do the following: Ciara -Go Girl -"Album Review"
- Using booleans
Booleans (pronounced boo lee ans) can be applied in most major search engines which provide advanced searching. The most popular boolean operators are AND, OR and NOT. Boolean operators are like the + and - symbols. AND means "include all of the words," OR means "include any of the words" and NOT means "exclude." For example, if you're seeking information on bags and shoes, enter bags AND shoes. Only pages that have both words will be on the list. |
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