Google, The Vastness Of It All

Google Images

Is there anyone that is not completely impressed with Google? Google has changed the way we learn probably more than anything ever created by man. Creating a search engine to give Internet users access to all the information in the world is simply mind-boggling and is beyond comprehension to me. I don't need to know the inner working of this amazing company but I do need to know how to use their search engine for best results.

Google Images

Sometimes I just need to step away from the computer and learn and study with an old-fashioned book. This is especially when I am trying to learn "How to" apply knowledge in a practical, hands on kind of way. I purchased the book, "Google Your Family Tree" by Dan Lynch and I highly recommend it. Check out the hints on his website while you are there. The book has 340 pages on searching with Google for best results. I like that it is specifically written for Family History work but that the methods of searching apply to searching any topic.

If you are just fine with learning how to do this via the Internet you can just Google: "Google Search Operators". This search will give you a page of advanced search operators that are links to their definition and how to use them. For this post I am just going to share some very basic ones to show you how you can decrease your number of hits on any given search to make searching practical and effective. An added bonus, you will be learning a new language...Boolean. (You must Google it when you get the chance.)

You need to know these few things to create quality Search Queries.

Keywords = Clues

When you COMBINE Keywords and Search Operators
you get
Quality Search Queries which result in...
Good, Filtered, Specific Results.

To demonstrate this we'll look at an example right out of Dan Lynch's book so you can see how this works. I am hoping he won't mind since I am giving his book at plug and a link! This is how you reduce your hits and make the research doable in a nutshell.

Quoting in green...
Google Web Search Query by Dan Lynch

lynch-42,800,000 results

lynch family-363,000

lynch family connecticut-141,000

eugene lynch family connecticut-45,500

"eugene lynch" family connecticut-51

"eugene * lynch" family connecticut-815

"eugene * lynch" family Connecticut~genealogy-117

"eugene * lynch" family Connecticut~genealogy waterbury or bridgeport..8

If you Google: "Google Boolean Operators"

You get this page of information...
"There are three types of Boolean operators recognized by Google. They are the OR, AND and NOT operators.

The OR operator

The OR operator is used to include either one search term or the other in a query. The syntax is 'OR' or '' (pipe symbol). Try this as example: 'fame fortune' and 'fame OR fortune'.

The AND operator

The AND operator is used to include more than one search term in a single query. The syntax is 'AND' or ' ' (space). By default, Google includes all search terms submitted. Therefore, submitting 'hotel AND cheap AND good' is almost the same as submitting 'hotel cheap good'. Try it. Notice there's a slight difference in the search results. The search terms are grouped more closely without the AND operator and vice-versa.

The NOT operator

The extremely useful NOT operator is used to exclude search terms in the results. The syntax is '-' (minus sign) followed immediately by the search term to exclude. Here's an example: 'windows' and 'windows -microsoft'.

Google queries are not case-sensitive, with the exception of the OR and AND operators. Google recognizes 'OR' as the OR operator, and 'or', 'oR' and 'Or' as a search term, i.e. the word 'or'. Google will display very different results for 'tiger OR rabbit' and 'tiger or rabbit'. Try it.

Notice something missing in the 'tiger or rabbit' search results? Most likely, the 'or' search term is missing. Google ignores very common words. What if, under certain circumstances, you would like to include 'or' as a search term?

Use the + operator or double quotes - read more here: Inclusion and Phrase"

All the red printing-Quoted directly From Google Boolean Operators link.

The whole point of this lesson is to show you how to get the fewest, most accurate returns on your Google searching. Please note that other search engines have their own symbols for achieving filtered results. Read "how to" filter a search engine before searching for searching to be most effective. Rather than just going immediately to the search box, take a moment and learn what to do besides just type in a name or place.

In the long run it will put you light years ahead of the game. You will save lots of subsequent time reading links that do not have what you are really looking for in them. There is so much more to learn about Google in "Google Your Family Tree" and on the Google site that can shed additional light on all of the offerings. It is such a wonderful tool, use it often in your research. You'll be glad you did. While you are at it, don't forget YouTube as an excellent resource for searching anything and everything. If you are a visual and auditory learner...it is perfect.