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communication:internet:search [2019/10/21 16:57]
frater_secessus [Google-fu: getting better at searching] 		communication:internet:search [2020/10/11 19:48] (current)
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 ===== exact phrases ===== ===== exact phrases =====
 When you type in ''free camping in Wyoming'' the search engine really doesn't know what you are thinking.((AI will make them able to guess more accurately in the future))  It might look for pages with all those words, pages with those words near each other, pages that have certain phrases in them like ''in Wyoming''.  It might find a page about a guy who was set free after being arrested for camping somewhere illegal in Wyoming.  Wrong kind of //free//! When you type in ''free camping in Wyoming'' the search engine really doesn't know what you are thinking.((AI will make them able to guess more accurately in the future))  It might look for pages with all those words, pages with those words near each other, pages that have certain phrases in them like ''in Wyoming''.  It might find a page about a guy who was set free after being arrested for camping somewhere illegal in Wyoming.  Wrong kind of //free//!
 +
 You can help the search engine understand that //free camping// means something more than the two separate words:  **it means something special in that particular order**.  You can help the search engine understand that //free camping// means something more than the two separate words:  **it means something special in that particular order**. 
 +
 The way we tell a search engine to search for an exact phrase is by quoting the phrase.  For example, we might say \\ ''"free camping" in Wyoming'' \\ Why not quote the whole thing?  Because that says that you want //the entire phrase exactly//, which will dramatically reduce returns.   You'd miss pages where people say they are in Wyoming and and are free camping, etc.  The way we tell a search engine to search for an exact phrase is by quoting the phrase.  For example, we might say \\ ''"free camping" in Wyoming'' \\ Why not quote the whole thing?  Because that says that you want //the entire phrase exactly//, which will dramatically reduce returns.   You'd miss pages where people say they are in Wyoming and and are free camping, etc. 
 ===== ruling out unwanted words ===== ===== ruling out unwanted words =====
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 With those technical skills in your toolbox, you are ready for the next step:  guessing/predicting search results.  This is a tougher skill because it requires changing the way we think about search.   With those technical skills in your toolbox, you are ready for the next step:  guessing/predicting search results.  This is a tougher skill because it requires changing the way we think about search.  
 This sounds a bit [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minority_Report_(film)|pre-cog]], but the trick here is guessing what the results will look like when you do find them.  We can break this down into two skills based on whether or not you have ever seen the result before. This sounds a bit [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minority_Report_(film)|pre-cog]], but the trick here is guessing what the results will look like when you do find them.  We can break this down into two skills based on whether or not you have ever seen the result before.
-Let's say you are trying to relocate a post you read one time.  For example, something sternwake once said about AGM batteries.  A search for \\ ''sternwake agm'' +Let's say you are trying to relocate a post you read one time.  For example, something sternwake once said about AGM batteries.  A search for ''sternwake agm'' will be too broad, as he discusses batteries and charging often.  
-\\ will be too broad, as he discusses batteries and charging often.  + 
 If you can remember //anything// related to that post it will help zero in on the post you seek: If you can remember //anything// related to that post it will help zero in on the post you seek:
   * any other user that posted in that thread   * any other user that posted in that thread
   * any memorable word or phrase used in the post   * any memorable word or phrase used in the post
   * etc   * etc
 +
 In this case, you remember sternwake said something about "princess" in that quote.  Here is the targeted search:  ''sternwake agm princess''. In this case, you remember sternwake said something about "princess" in that quote.  Here is the targeted search:  ''sternwake agm princess''.
 \\ BOOM, [[https://www.google.com/search?q=sternwake+agm+princess|it popped up in the top results]]. \\ BOOM, [[https://www.google.com/search?q=sternwake+agm+princess|it popped up in the top results]].
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 ====== variations in search syntax ====== ====== variations in search syntax ======
 Sometimes searche syntax is not spelled out by the site.  You may have to use their //advanced search// option to create a test search then see what happens in the URL.  Then you can start making your own advanced searches right in the search box.  Sometimes searche syntax is not spelled out by the site.  You may have to use their //advanced search// option to create a test search then see what happens in the URL.  Then you can start making your own advanced searches right in the search box. 
 +
 Youtube generally follows Google syntax, as does Duck Duck Go and Bing.   Youtube generally follows Google syntax, as does Duck Duck Go and Bing.  
 +
 eBay has [[https://www.ebay.com/sch/ebayadvsearch|a different alternation style]]:  ''(this,that,"other thing")''. eBay has [[https://www.ebay.com/sch/ebayadvsearch|a different alternation style]]:  ''(this,that,"other thing")''.
 +
 [[https://www.craigslist.org/about/help/search|Craigslist uses]] ''this|that|"other thing"'' [[https://www.craigslist.org/about/help/search|Craigslist uses]] ''this|that|"other thing"''
communication/internet/search.1571691461.txt.gz · Last modified: 2020/10/11 19:48 (external edit)

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