How to use Google. Structure your search queries to get the best results.
Taking Google as the most commonly used search engine and applying a few simple rules to its usage can really help weed out the stuff you don't want to see. Start by setting your browser preferences: Go to www.google.com and click on the Preferences link to the right of the search field.
In the 'Number Of Results' section, use the pop-up menu to change the default Display from 10 Results Per Page to something larger. Say 100.
That means less clicking through results pages.
The 'Provide Query Suggestions In The Search Box' option in the Query Suggestions section will save you some typing.
Google will now guess the rest of a search term as you enter it. Once you’ve customised your settings, click on Save
Preferences.
You will have to do this for every browser you use. OK now you've done that lets look at how to structure a search to get the most relevant results. By default Google searches for pages that contain all the words you enter in the search box, in any order, anywhere on the page.
Contain those words within quotes "like this" and Google will return pages containing the exact phrase. You're looking for pages that contain some common words or phrases but you would prefer not to see pages that contain certain words.
OK leave them out by prefixing them with a minus sign -. A search for Pluto -Disney should return results about the planet and not a cartoon dog. Find This OR That:
You're looking for a Plasma TV but you're fussy about the manufacturer.
Panasonic OR Sony Plasma TV will return results for Panasonic and Sony and no other manufacturers. Find Similar Words:
When searching the Web, you often know approximately what you’re looking for but are unsure exactly how something may be phrased.
Place a tilde (~), which means “words like this” (in other words, synonyms or near synonyms) in front of the word you’re unsure of. Google’s Search Features page http://www.google.com/intl/en/help/features.html contains much useful information, hints and tips for efficient searching.
Using these simple search rules can cut down the amount of time spent sifting through pages of results that have no real relevance to your query.
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