Pool of Knowledge

Unlock Google's Full Potential

The other day I had to help my brother do some research for his homework. It was during this that he told me that he didn't really know how to use Google to find what he needs on the internet. So I thought that I would compile a bunch of tips and hints to help you when you are using the internet to search for things.

First you need to decide whether you are looking for specific hard to find information, or just information on a certain topic. If, for example, you were asked to research the small nation of Liechtenstein rather than type Liechtenstein into Google's search engine, you could just use Answers.com and everything you need would be displayed before you. Using Answers.com is very similar to using an encyclopedia such as Encarta.

If Answers.com does not uncover the information you are looking for then you need to use a search engine. For a list of the best search engines, click here. Searh Engine Watch has a helpful article on which search engine is best for each task.

If you decide that a search engine is the best tool for the job, you sometimes can't just type something in and see how you go. Occasionally you must pry the information you are looking for out of the internet. Sometimes 'asking' Google a question works, other times you must search one item or key word in order to uncover what you are actually looking for. This is not always the case, a simple search for Christmas cake recipes will reveal just that. There are a range of helpful sites out there that provide information on how best to use Google, to find what you are looking for, and unlocking secrets. But first off, try Google's own help page.


The Virtual Chase teaches legal students how to do research and as such has a helpful Google hints page.


For additional reading I suggest discovering Google's Top 20 Secrets in this PCMag article.

But by far the best and easiest to use Google tips come from Googleguide.com and can be found here. All the Google shortcuts, tips and search tools are listed in a handy table with examples and links.

My last word of advice is to actually take my advice. I know of someone that when asked to research something will type in what he wants into the address bar of his browser, say www.davidbeckham.com, and if a relevant website is not displayed he then moves onto a different topic and keeps changing his topic until he gets a website. Doing this only works about 10% of the time, and if it does work it is usually only an irrelevant link advertisement site. So, please, use Google and if not Google at least another search engine.

posted by Pool of Knowledge Lifeguard at 8:18 PM