5 Ways to Get Better Search Results

Are you tired of getting ads or the same URLs when you search? Internet algorithms often make it hard to find exactly what you are looking for -- unless you ask specifically. Here's how to ask search engines *specifically* for the information you need. Practice along, to cement these tools into your mind.

Goal #1: Chicken soup recipes. Sure, you can type in the string of words and get recipes from blogs and cooking websites, but here are a few ways to be more specific in your search.

1. Add quotes for exact phrases: "chicken soup recipes"

2. Specify site to search: site:nytimes.com "chicken soup recipes" (This will bring up ONLY recipes on the nytimes.com site.)

3. Negate what you don't want: "chicken soup recipes" -blog

Goal #2: Tallest mountain. Because search engines throw out random results, it can be challenging getting the quality of information you want. While Wikipedia can be a great starting place, here are ways to find quality results for fact-based searches.

1. Add and negate site type: "tallest mountain globally" -.com,

2. Add filetype to pull reports: filetype: pdf, "tallest mountains"

3. Add format type and site type: chart, filetype: pdf and "mountains by elevation" .gov, .edu

Goal #3: Smallest bird. Sometimes you can improve the results you get by asking the search engine to pull up similar or related words. You do this by adding symbols. It can also help to narrow down the date range for articles, so that the information you pull up is still relevant and not outdated.

1. Add asterisk for similar terms: Smallest *bird

2. Add date range to find recent articles: Smallest *bird 2018..2020

3. Add ~ for related words (e.g., species, family): ~hummingbirds 2018..2021 .edu, .org



OK, LET'S PRACTICE....



Goal #4: Calorie count tools

Sample search: "*Calorie count", tools, .gov, .edu -.com

Top result: Interactive Tools, Food and Nutrition Information Center, NAL https://www.nal.usda.gov/fnic/interactive-tools

Sample search: ~weight loss tools, .gov, .edu -.com 2020..2021

Top result: Food and Nutrition Apps and Blogs, Nutrition.gov

https://www.nutrition.gov/topics/basic-nutrition/online-tools/food-and-nutrition-apps-and-blogs

Goal #5: Space Station Astronauts

Sample search: site:nasa.gov "~astronauts" and *space station, 2020..2021

Top result: Marshall Team Enables Increased Science from Space 

https://www.nasa.gov/centers/marshall/news/releases/2020/marshall-team-enables-increased-science-return-from-international-space-station-astronauts.html

Another top result: Space Station Science Highlights: Week of January 11, 2021

https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/news/space-station-science-highlights-11jan21

BONUS Practice:

Goal: How to cut hair at home

Sample search #1: "Cut your hair at home" site:youtube.com 2020..2021

Top result: DIY : HOW TO TRIM YOUR HAIR AT HOME ( 2020 ) DIY HAIRCUT

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ueswhDOXIeo

Top result: TOP 5 How to Cut Your Hair at Home MISTAKES Men Make! 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t4RUN29Ln0M

Sample search #2: home hair cut tutorial women's hair

Top result: At Home Women's Haircut | How to Cut Your Hair At Home 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uSiXbluFZ2E

It's fun to explore these search parameters to eliminate ads and sites you don't find credible or relevant. Try different search term combinations with the search tricks above. You may also want to check out scholar.google.com for scientific studies and research. Another way to broaden your Internet research capabilities is to utilize library research tools, many of which you can use from the comfort of your home.