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Internet Search Strategies

     Careful search strategies can bring you better results.

                    Before You Start Searching

   Identify your topic as precisely as you can   

  Think of key words

   Check spelling of all key words.

                    Which is Better: Web Directory or Search Engine?

 If your topic is broad and general, use a web directory.

 If your topic is narrow or specific, use a search engine  (try "Advanced Search" or "Help" for better searching options).

                    In the Search Box

  Use a few specific words and phrases with most important words first.

  Enclose names or phrases in quotation marks.

     Usually only lower case letters are used

   
      robots in space

  "money" "civil war"

 abraham lincoln

                    Too Many Hits to Handle

 Try more specific terms.

  Exclude irrelevant terms by using "not" before a word.                 

                    Not Enough Useful Hits

Try synonyms or related words. 

  Use "or" between words to broaden your search.

  Use an asterisk at the end of a word stem to get variations on a word.

           No single search engine or web directory covers the entire web . 
 If one web tool doesn't have the information, use another one.