Using Internet Search Engines

Tip: Search Tips On Google

February 4, 2011

Internet Search It seems that many people do not know how to use Google effectively. So, if you're interested, here are some tips which I use with my students:

Break down your search using simple words, no articles, no prepositions (of, with, to, on, for, in). Pretend you're a caveman! :) I mean, if you're looking for cheap recipes, type that in. Cheap Recipes, frugal recipes, budget recipe ideas will all pull up some good sites.
Good words for most of us here: budget, thrifty, frugal, cheap, free
If you're looking for specifics make sure you include that in your search, but don't include unnecessary words. For instance, I'm a teacher, and I often look online for ideas. If I was looking for a free, printable worksheet about the American Revolution, I would type "American revolution worksheet printable free" into Google, and then all of the sites that didn't include all of those words would be precluded from the answers.
To know what kind of site you're looking at you need to look at the last three initials on the web address. Each one signifies something different, and usually:
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.gov = US government websites
.org = non-profit agency
.edu = educational institution
.com, .net, and .biz= commercial websites
.stateinitials.us = state website or school district (.ma.us)
.uk = United Kingdom site
.au = Australian site,
etc.

I hope this helps. I know a lot of us out there are internet whizzes but a lot of us aren't, and I know it's hard sometimes to get the info you need. Google is really easy, and is often the fastest way to go.

By Veronica from MA

8 More Solutions

This page contains the following solutions.

Tip: Using Google Search to Answer Questions

likekinds
Gold Post Medal for All Time! 523 Posts

July 6, 2018

There is a fairly new element of Google search. I just by chance found out about it. Google gets a lot of bad (some well deserved) rap. This little gem is a feather in their caps!

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Tip: Internet Search Tip

likekinds
Gold Post Medal for All Time! 523 Posts

August 24, 2020

This tip is so good, it deserves front page. If I'm correct, I was reading an unrelated tip when one person replying informed another of this neat little trick. Since that time, I've been using the tip every day, sometimes several times a day. That's why I think it deserves its own little spotlight.

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Tip: Link: GoodSearch Donates Money For Every Search

February 4, 2010

Did you know that you can give money to your favorite charity just by performing a search on the Internet? Go to www.goodsearch.com and enter in your favorite charity in the "Who Do You GoodSearch For?" box, then use GoodSearch just like you would any other search engine.

Tip: Use Bing Search Engine for Free Gift Cards

luciere100

June 9, 2015

Ever hear of getting some moola effortlessly? Well you can, and I'm here to tell you how to do that. Bing rewards! Once you join, you automatically earn 1 point for every time you use your search engine.

For example, say you get about 475 Bing rewards. You will get a 5 dollar gift card of your choice for free! So go on with your bad self, and light up that search engine.

Tip: Earn Money From Your Search Engine

Jacketbacker

February 5, 2012

Since Hubby retired, I have joined a website called www.MyPoints.com and downloaded their search engine. The more your search with it, the more points are earned. They email you bargains and surveys daily, as well.

Tip: Search Websites Using Google

July 28, 2006

Have you ever gone to a website that didn't have a search function available? When this happens, be sure to try Google's handy site search feature.

Tip: Use Quotes to Search for an Exact Phrase

Marilyn S.

July 2, 2008

If you use quotation marks on either side of your request, you will get more specific answers. Instead of writing knit baby sweaters, you should write "knit baby sweaters" to narrow the hits returned to you.