Search the Web - Google

Anytime you search the web, you will notice how each search engine can bring up thousands of results. Here are some search engine tips to more quickly help you conduct your web search.

Basic Google Search Engine Tips

Google Search Criteria	Web Search Result	Example
all of the words	Input the "+" in front of words that must be included in your search. Google ignores certain common words but if it is essential to your web search you can use the "+" symbol.	Godfather +2
the exact phrase	Add quotes around your phrase. Great way to search the web for famous quotes.	"Mary had a little lamb"
at least one of these words	Input "or" between words	cats or kittens
without the words	Put "-" in front of the excluded words.	bass -fish
similar words	Put "~" in front of words you want to include synonyms for	~health ~tips

Advanced Google Search Engine Tips

The Google search engine includes an Advanced Search option. It has all the options above plus more specific criteria.

Google Search Criteria	Web Search Result
Language	Allows you to only include page results in a certain language
File Format	You can include or exclude only pages in a certain file format. e.g. pdf, doc, xls
Date	You can limit the search to anytime or within the past 3 months, 6 months or year.
Occurences	Only shows results based on where the search term is located on the page. e.g. in the title of the page, in the url of the page
Domain	You can restrict your web search to within a certain domain or exclude results from a certain domain. e.g. only .org domains, only results within microsoft.com
SafeSearch	You can remove adult oriented sites from your search.
Similar	Allows you to find pages similar in content to a pae you specify.
Links	Shows you pages that link to a page you specify.
Topic-Specific Searches	Limit searches to a certain geographic region, computer operating system, government/military site or school.

Click here for search engine tips for Yahoo.