The Essentials of The Essentials of Google Searching!Google Searching!

Doing a search on Google is easy. Doing a search on Google is easy. Simply type one or more search Simply type one or more search term (the words or phrase that best term (the words or phrase that best describes the information you want describes the information you want to find) into the search box and hit to find) into the search box and hit the “Enter” key or click on the the “Enter” key or click on the Google Search button.Google Search button.

In response, Google produces a In response, Google produces a results page; a list of web pages results page; a list of web pages related to your search terms, with related to your search terms, with the most relevant page appearing the most relevant page appearing first, then the next, and so on.first, then the next, and so on.

Choosing Search TermsChoosing Search Terms

Choosing the right search term is the key to Choosing the right search term is the key to finding the information you need.finding the information you need.

Start with the obvious – if you’re looking for Start with the obvious – if you’re looking for general information on Hawaii, try Hawaii.general information on Hawaii, try Hawaii.

But it’s often best to use multiple search But it’s often best to use multiple search terms; if you are planning a Hawaiian vacation, terms; if you are planning a Hawaiian vacation, you’ll do better with vacation Hawaii than you’ll do better with vacation Hawaii than either vacation or Hawaii by themselves.either vacation or Hawaii by themselves.

Choose your search terms carefully, Google Choose your search terms carefully, Google looks for the search term you choose.looks for the search term you choose.

CapitalizationCapitalization

Google searches are NOT case Google searches are NOT case sensitive. sensitive.

All letters, regardless of how you All letters, regardless of how you

type them, will be understood as type them, will be understood as lower case.lower case.

Automatic “and” QueriesAutomatic “and” Queries

Google automatically only returns Google automatically only returns pages that include all of your pages that include all of your search terms. There is no need to search terms. There is no need to include “and” between terms.include “and” between terms.

Remember that the order in which Remember that the order in which the terms are typed will affect the the terms are typed will affect the search results.search results.

Automatic Exclusion of Automatic Exclusion of Common WordsCommon Words

Google ignores common words and Google ignores common words and characters such as “where” and characters such as “where” and “how”, as well as certain single “how”, as well as certain single digits and letters, because they digits and letters, because they tend to slow down your search tend to slow down your search without improving the results.without improving the results.

Automatic Exclusion of Automatic Exclusion of Common WordsCommon Words

If a common word is essential to If a common word is essential to getting the results you want, you getting the results you want, you can include it by putting a “+” sign can include it by putting a “+” sign in front on it. (Be sure to include a in front on it. (Be sure to include a space before the “+”.)space before the “+”.)

For example, to search for Star Wars, For example, to search for Star Wars, Episode 1Episode 1

Star Wars Episode + 1Star Wars Episode + 1

Phrase SearchesPhrase Searches

Sometimes you’ll only want results Sometimes you’ll only want results that include an exact phrase. In that include an exact phrase. In this case, simply put quotation this case, simply put quotation marks around your search terms.marks around your search terms.– Example “the long and winding road”Example “the long and winding road”

Phrases searches are particularly Phrases searches are particularly effective if you’re searching for effective if you’re searching for proper names, lyrics, or other proper names, lyrics, or other famous phrasesfamous phrases

Negative TermsNegative Terms

If your search terms has more than one If your search terms has more than one meaning (bass, for example, could refer to meaning (bass, for example, could refer to fishing or music) you can focus your search by fishing or music) you can focus your search by putting a minus sign (“-”) in front of words putting a minus sign (“-”) in front of words related to the meaning you want to avoid.related to the meaning you want to avoid.

Example – Here is how you would find pages Example – Here is how you would find pages about bass-heavy lakes, but not bass-heavy about bass-heavy lakes, but not bass-heavy musicmusic

bass -musicbass -music

I’m Feeling LuckyI’m Feeling Lucky

After you’ve entered your search After you’ve entered your search terms, you might want to try the “I’m terms, you might want to try the “I’m Feeling Lucky” button, which takes Feeling Lucky” button, which takes you straight to the most relevant you straight to the most relevant website that Google found for your website that Google found for your search. search.

You won’t see the search results page You won’t see the search results page at all, but if you did, the “I’m Feeling at all, but if you did, the “I’m Feeling Lucky” site would be listed on top.Lucky” site would be listed on top.

I’m Feeling LuckyI’m Feeling Lucky

ExampleExample– If you’re looking for NASA homepage, If you’re looking for NASA homepage,

just enter NASA and click “I’m Feeling just enter NASA and click “I’m Feeling Lucky” instead of the Google Search Lucky” instead of the Google Search button. Google will take you directly button. Google will take you directly to to

http://www.nasa.gov/http://www.nasa.gov/