Internet Search Techniques

Tips for Google, Yahoo!, Exalead, and most other search engines

1. Use specific terms.
   Ex: war of 1812 causes, not just history

2. Use quotes to require an exact phrase.
   Ex: "one small step for a man"

3. Use capitalized OR to get either word.
   Ex: (ucb OR cal) bears

4. Use - (dash) to exclude a word
   Ex: proliferation -nuclear

5. Use "site:" to specify a particular website or Internet domain.
   Ex:global warming site:whitehouse.gov
   Ex:immigration attitudes site:edu

6. Use the "Advanced Search" links for guidance in limiting by language, field, Internet domain, etc.

Remember that search engine results are selected by computer software, not by human experts.

Further Info

These links are from UC Berkeley - Teaching Library Internet Workshops

1. More Tips

2. Evaluating Web Pages: Techniques to Apply & Questions to Ask

3. Recommended General Subject Directories