How to Use a Web Search Engine

You can find any subject you can think of on the Internet. Just go to a search engine and it's easy as pie.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Internet Access
• Internet Explorer
• Netscape Navigator

1. Visit a search engine such as Google or Yahoo!.
2. Type in what you'd like to search. Be specific.
3. Press Enter on your keyboard or click the Search button to submit your query.
4. Click on a site from the list of results provided by the search engine.
5. Follow the directions provided by the site to gather the information you need.
6. Click the Back button on your Web browser to return to the list of results and choose another site to explore.
7. Consult multiple Web sites if necessary.

Tips & Warnings

• Use specific, targeted keywords. For example, if you want a recipe for lasagna, type "lasagna recipe," not just "lasagna" or "recipe." On the other hand, don't get carried away. Entering "find a lasagna recipe that's quick and easy" is less likely to be effective because it adds irrelevant words to the search. (You'll likely get some quick and easy recipes that aren't lasagna.)
• Try more than one search engine, as their results vary. You can also try index, or "portal," Web sites such as Yahoo. These sites organize the Web by different categories. You can click through the categories to find what you want, in addition to searching.
• Most search engines have instructions on how to do an advanced search. (You can also see the eHow "Conduct an Advanced Internet Search.")