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Media Literacy

Searching the Internet

Search the Internet More Effectively

When you're doing research for an assignment, it's common to start a search using Google. You're might be more familiar with using it than you are with library databases right now! Depending on what kind of information you need, Google might actually be a good place to look. For example, you can easily find authoritative government sources, various news media, and more.

Did you know you can do advanced Google searches that will make your results a little more relevant to help you find the information you need more quickly?

Google's Algorithms

Before you start searching, it's important to understand why your search results show up the way they do. The results that appear at the top of your Google search aren't always the most relevant! Results can appear at the top because:

  • The owner of the site has paid for that priority (often as an ad).
  • The site has been accessed frequently.
  • It's showing you content similar to what you usually search, interact with, or click on. (This is called a filter bubble.)
  • Numerous other unknown reasons based on Google's proprietary algorithms.

Google Search Tips

When searching Google, try these search tips for better results, which may also help you bypass some of those algorithms:

  • Use specific keywords instead of questions. Try to think of different ways to refer to your search term or concept. Combine the terms with OR. (OR must be in caps or it is ignored.) (Hunger OR food insecurity)
  • Use "quotation marks" for phrase searching ("food insecurity")
  • Search a specific domain (food insecurity site:.gov)
  • Search a specific site (site:CDC.gov food insecurity)
  • Use CTRL+F to find a word or words quickly on that page. This will open a search box and once you type something in the box, it will highlight every instance of that word on the page.
  • Wildcard search: use an asterisk after a root word to bring back results with all variations of the word (for example: motiv* = motivate, motivates, motivation, motivational)

Google's Filters

  • Once you run your search, you can limit your results to Images, News, Videos, and more. Using one of these limiters may save you some time.
  • You can also limit your results to a specific timeframe (past hour, past 24 hours, etc.) and set a custom date range.