How to Conduct a Simple Internet Search

Using the Internet to find information is not very difficult at all. All that is needed is a basic understanding of a few easy techniques on how to enter search terms into a browser search box, and the search engine will do the rest.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• A computer with Internet access
• A specific web browser or search query box
• Keyboard
• Basic knowledge about computer use

1. 
   Get Online

   Get online with your computer. The first thing you need is Internet access. Contact your local telephone company for information on using your phone line to get online (dial up) or about purchasing broadband or DSL access. Tell them you have a computer and wish to get online,and they will provide additional instructions.

2. Choose your search engine. There are several to choose from, but basic Internet search is included with the Internet Service Provider (ISP) you use to get online. From there, you may opt for Google, Yahoo!, AOL, Ask.com, MSN/Bing, or Microsoft Internet Explorer. These are all accessible by typing in the name within the Internet search or address box (a blank space, usually found at the top of an Internet webpage).

3. Enter a basic query. It makes more sense to type in a simple noun (person, place or thing) in as few words as possible, rather than a complex search query of many words. It is not necessary to include www (for World Wide Web), nor to add too many extra terms. Search engines will return the most relevant results based on the most simplest of terms and words entered.

4. Think like a machine. Don’t bother with personalization or cute terminology. Use only one or two concrete words for your search. For instance, if searching for eye disorders, search for ‘blurred’ and ‘vision’ since these are the words that are likely to appear within the webpage and will, therefore, deliver the greatest number of results.

5. Learn which words search engines routinely avoid, then, avoid them. The objective of search terms should be to narrow the search field as much as possible. Start searching with a few words and omit most small words (‘if’, ‘of’, ‘and’ ‘the’). If needed, add more words later to better refine results.

6. Be reasonably descriptive, but don't go overboard. It is permissable to include a comma or insert quotation marks to separate terms in order to more clearly identify the boundaries of the search query. Search engines will provide more relevant results based on unique word groupings and keywords. Instead of searching just for ‘hats’, search for ‘large hats’, and ‘straw,’ or ‘hats’ and ‘large brims’ and ‘summer accessories.’ The more specific the terms, the better the results.

Tips & Warnings

• Searching the Internet is like anything else: It gets easier with practice.
• Explore various search engines until you find one you are most pleased with.
• If simple search does not deliver the results you want, consider learning more about advanced search techniques.