How to Search Google

How to Search GoogleLike a LibrarianAll search terms count; for example, compact fold-up bicycle A search in Google will find all pages containing the words compact and fold-up and bicycle.You dont need to include the word and in-between your search terms; when searching Google the and is implied, this is called an implicit and. Sometimes Google will pull up pages that do not contain your search terms; these pages are brought up because your search terms are included in the linked text to another page.All Search Terms CountGoogle simply matches strings of characters together and doesnt currently base inferences on uses of the language. Although this method has some drawbacks, it harnesses one of the fabulous powers of computers, the ability to shift through enormous heaps of data quickly and accurately Ned Frelden (Internet Research, 2nd ed).

Search Terms Match Up Exactly If you SearchGoogle Wont FindCheapInexpensiveTVTelevisionEffectsInfluencesChildren KidsCarAutomobile Search Terms Match Up ExactlyHowever Google will find pages that include synonyms, for example

Search Terms Match Up ExactlyIf you SearchGoogle FindsNYCNew York CitySFSan Francisco Google will automatically find pages that contain words that are similar to some or all of your search terms, for example

Similar Words MatchIf you SearchGoogle will MatchChildChildChildrenChildrensBicycleBicycleBicyclesBicycles Bicycling Bicyclists Google calls this function word variations or automatic stemming. Stemming is a technique to search on the stem or root of a word that has multiple endings.If you want to only search for pages that contain the search term or terms exactly, you will need to put quotations marks around the word or words, for example child and how to bake an apple pie.Similar Words MatchSome common words are considered stop words in Google; stop words generally dont add meaning to the search terms.Stop words are for example; the, on, where, how, de, la and certain single digits and letters.If you are using Google to search for, What to read for a London tourist.Because this search includes stop words, Google will only look for pages that contain read and London tourist. If you want Google to search all of your terms you will need surround you search phrase with quotation marks.

Stop WordsGoogle limits search queries to 32 words. Google will indicate a message below the search box if your search exceeds the 32-word limit; this limit does not apply to stop words.Also please note it does not apply to search operators and indicators. Word LimitGoogle tends to favor pages that have your search terms near each other; normally this proximity will be within a page.For example the search for snake grass will pull up pages about a plant. If you search for a snake in the grass Google tends to pull up pages about sneaky people. Although in and the are stop words; Google will actually pull up pages in which snake and grass are separated by at least two words. Terms NearbyGoogle tends to pull up pages that have terms in the same order as your query.Terms in OrderGoogle is not case-sensitive, it will pull up results which are both upper and lower case.The only words that need to be upper case are your search operators OR and AND.Not Case-SensitiveGoogle ignores some punctuation and special characters; for example

Punctuation is not as important as your search terms, however there exceptions such as C++.Characters Ignored!]?@,/.$;

Google will match words with an apostrophe with words with an apostrophe.ApostrophesIf you Search Google will FindGoogle Wont FindWereWereWereWereWereWereBecause people vary on how they enter in hyphenated words Google will search both hyphen and spaced words. For exampleHyphenated TermsIf you SearchGoogle will FindPart-timePart-timeParttimePart time Quoted Phrases To search for a phrase, a proper name, or a set of words in a specific order you need to put them in double quotes.Using quotes ensure that you will be pulling up pages containing the exact quoted phrase.

Instructors can use quoted phrases to detect plagiarism by entering the exact phrase from a students paper into the search box with quotations surrounding it.

Crafting your Query with Special Characters Use Quotes forFor ExampleSpeech search syntaxWe hold these truths to be self-evident that all me are created equal Martin Luther King Speech.Proper namesLucille BallPages containing listsBest book club booksCommon words that are normally ignoredTo be or not to beTo stop automatic stemmingFavorite bookThe OperatorPrecede each word you dont want to appear in any result with a - sign. Do not insert a space between the - and the word you want to exclude.

Crafting your Query with Special Characters If you SearchGoogle Wont FindDolphins -FootballPages on the Dolphins Football teamThe ~ OperatorFind synonyms by preceding the term with a ~, which is known as the tilde or synonym operator. The ~ operator takes the word immediately following it and searches both that specific word or the words synonyms.Crafting your Query with Special Characters If you SearchGoogle will Find~inexpensiveInexpensive CheapAffordable Low Cost The OR or | Operator If you want Google to pull up pages containing any instead of all of your search terms, use the OR or | operator. The OR or | operator applies to the search terms immediately adjacent to it. The OR needs to be in upper case, if not Google will treat it as a search term not as an operator.

Crafting your Query with Special Characters For exampleTahiti OR HawaiiTahiti|HawaiiThe .. OperatorSpecify that results contain numbers in a range by specifying two numbers, separated by two periods, with no spaces.Crafting your Query with Special Characters For ExampleRecumbent bicycle $250...$1000Russian Revolution 1800..2000The * OperatorUse of the * character, known as a wildcard. The * operator is used to match one or more words in a phrase. Google treats this as a place holder for a word or more then one word. Crafting your Query with Special Characters If you SearchGoogle will FindGoogle * my lifePages that contain a phrase that starts with Google and ends with my life.Google ruined my lifeGoogle runs my lifeGoogle is my lifeWhen you dont find what you are looking for in Googles basic search, try using the Advanced Search option. The advanced search will allow you to tell Google specify what you are looking for; it will allow you to select or exclude pages with more precision than Googles basic search box.

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Questions??? Comments...Contact Tracy Ponder at417.447.8173pondert@otc.edu