Google & Google Scholar: Basic Google search

Examples: "climate change";"mass media"

Use quote marks to search for a phrase (a set of words in a specific order). This helps you find relevant information in the appropriate context.

Tip: This technique can be very useful when searching for a line from literary works or song lyrics, such as "to be or not to be".

Example: seabed OR seafloor

To search for pages containing either word add OR (capitalized).

Tip: If you do not use OR, your results will generally show pages containing both terms.

Examples: population site:gov ; research development site:edu

Include the word site: to search for information within a specific top-level domain such as .org, .gov, .edu, etc.

Tip: You can also search for information within a single website, such as research databases site:nwacc.edu .

Examples: nutrition -recipes ; wildcats -basketball

To exclude a word from your results list, add a dash (-) in front of the word you wish to exclude.

Tip: This also works in conjunction with other search methods. For example, to exclude a site from a particular search: skin cancer -site:wikipedia.org

Examples: To search for an image, video, map, news, book etc.

Conduct targeted searches by using the categories provided on Google's search results page--such as news, images, videos, etc.--rather than the full web search function. Find these options under the search box or in the drop-down menu under More.

Tip: You can also narrow your results to these categories after conducting a search. The Search Tools function in the results list also allows you to narrow by date.

Explore the Tools & Filters box to the right to learn more.

"Examples: dental hygiene filetype:ppt ; architecture portfolio filetype:pdf

To search for a specific type of file, add the word filetype to your search followed by the three letter file abbreviation such as pdf, ppt or xls.

Tip: You can also search for animated files: tsunami filetype:swf

Google ignores most punctuation and special characters, but there are some symbols you can use.

The dash (-) between words (without spaces) indicates strongly connected words. Example: child-care

The dash (-) directly in front of one word (no space) excludes that term from search results. Example: razorback -football

The hashtag (#) locates trending topics. Example: #love your library

See more ways you can use symbols & punctuation to search.

• Web
• Maps
• Images
• News
• Videos
• More
• Search Tools

Unfiltered web content provides a range of results.

Google and the Google logo are registered trademarks of Google Inc., used with permission.

The maps filter leads to maps, directions, street view, and location photos.

Google and the Google logo are registered trademarks of Google Inc., used with permission.

The images filter takes you straight to image results. Selecting an image leads to options for viewing the image, visiting the page, or viewing related images.

Google and the Google logo are registered trademarks of Google Inc., used with permission.

The news filter restricts results to media sources.

Google and the Google logo are registered trademarks of Google Inc., used with permission.

The videos filter is self-explanatory.

Google and the Google logo are registered trademarks of Google Inc., used with permission.

You can also filter results for shopping, books, flights, and apps.


Google and the Google logo are registered trademarks of Google Inc., used with permission