Article Search Tips Tricks

Bonisiwe Shabane

-Nov 18, 2025, 3:11 PM

Millions of people use Google search every day for a variety of reasons. Students use it for school, business people use it for research, and millions more use it for entertainment. But most people may not be using Google search to its full potential. Want to use Google search more efficiently and get the search results you want quickly? Here are 20 Google search tips and tricks to maximize your search efficiency: The first tip is to use the tabs in Google search.

On the top of every search are a number of tabs. Usually you’ll see Web, Image, News, and More. Using these tabs, you can help define what kind of search you need to do. f you need images, use the Image tab. If you are looking for a recent news article, use the News tab. It’s rudimentary and most people use the tabs already.

If you are not, then it’s highly recommended to get associated with them. They can cut search times dramatically if utilized properly. From subtracting words from the results to using specialized search engines, see how easy it is to search the web more effectively Ever been frustrated with your web search results? We've all been there! Fortunately, there are several tricks you can use to search better and get more relevant results.

Searching the web more effectively doesn't really take much effort. There are slight changes you can make to your searches to better explain to the search engine what it is you're looking for. Plus, most of them have advanced options you can use to make an even better ultra-targeted search. Below are some tried and true web search techniques that work with virtually any search engine, along with a few basic web search skills you need to have for truly successful web searches. You can use a mobile search engine to browse the web from your phone or tablet, and some of these tips work with those, too. In my circle of friends, "ChatGPT it" has completely replaced "Google it." I'm the only one who refuses to let go.

It's not because I'm against using AI tools—there's a time and place for letting .css-19a5n3-Link{all:unset;box-sizing:border-box;-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;cursor:pointer;-webkit-transition:all 300ms ease-in-out;transition:all 300ms ease-in-out;outline-offset:1px;-webkit-text-fill-color:currentColor;outline:1px solid transparent;}.css-19a5n3-Link[data-color='ocean']{color:var(--zds-text-link, #3d4592);}.css-19a5n3-Link[data-color='ocean']:hover{outline-color:var(--zds-text-link-hover, #2b2358);}.css-19a5n3-Link[data-color='ocean']:focus{color:var(--zds-text-link-hover, #3d4592);outline-color:var(--zds-text-link-hover, #3d4592);}.css-19a5n3-Link[data-color='white']{color:var(--zds-brand-almost-white, #fffdf9);}.css-19a5n3-Link[data-color='white']:hover{color:var(--zds-gray-warm-5, #a8a5a0);}.css-19a5n3-Link[data-color='white']:focus{color:var(--zds-brand-almost-white, #fffdf9);outline-color:var(--zds-brand-almost-white, #fffdf9);}.css-19a5n3-Link[data-color='primary']{color:var(--zds-text-link, #3d4592);}.css-19a5n3-Link[data-color='primary']:hover{color:var(--zds-text-link-hover, #2b2358);}.css-19a5n3-Link[data-color='primary']:focus{color:var(--zds-text-link-hover, #3d4592);outline-color:var(--zds-text-link-hover, #3d4592);}.css-19a5n3-Link[data-color='secondary']{color:var(--zds-brand-almost-white, #fffdf9);}.css-19a5n3-Link[data-color='secondary']:hover{color:var(--zds-gray-warm-5,... But in my experience, there's a laundry list of questions that a simple Google Search can answer for me faster—and with more control over the results. You just need to familiarize yourself with a few—or 33—Google Search tricks. If there's a specific thing you're searching for, feel free to jump to that section. Or keep scrolling to read all the tips and tricks you maybe didn't know were hiding in Google. Get the current weather or a weather forecast

Filter Google Search results by type of information Here are 21 Google search tips that will help you: At the end, we’ll also show you how you can get your site to appear in more Google’s search results. (Spoiler alert—it involves something called search engine optimization, or SEO.) To do a Google search, launch your browser, navigate to the search engine, and type what you’re looking for into the search bar. Alternatively, if Google is your browser’s default search engine, type your query into your browser’s address bar.

Always start a search from the “advanced search” option if it is available. The advanced search interface allows you to craft a more specific and targeted search than the basic search interface will allow. Engage with the interactive image to the right to see how to best utilize the main features of the advanced search box. There are a lot of reasons your initial search terms might not produce the desired results (using the wrong search terms, search terms are too narrow or too specific). If you are not finding enough relevant results, try using alternative terms. You can find alternate terms in a variety of places.

Have you found the allusive “perfect” source? Or have you found one paragraph in an article that is really helpful? This is when citation mining comes into play. Most of us begin any simple quest for knowledge with a Google search. So it makes sense that more serious searches might start there, too. But is Google OK for formal research?

That depends. It’s still best to combine Googling with other forms of research, like visiting a library or using an academic database. Plus, the first results a searcher sees are now created by generative AI, which comes with its own set of limitations. However, a well-crafted Google Search—not totally reliant on the AI-based results—can get you well on your way to finding credible, accurate information for a research paper or project -- that is, if you know... Normally, Google will take a look at the set of words you type in, then try to find matches based on those words -- not necessarily in the order you type them. Sometimes this means that Google might separate the words you’ve entered or even find matches for similar words.

But you can also tell Google not to do this and instead look only for the words you entered in the exact order you entered them. To restrict your search to exact wording, surround the word or phrase in quotation marks. Example: Say you want to know who wrote something you'd like to cite: You'll get much better results for the citation if you put it in quotation marks and look for an exact match. Another use case: Found a good quote in the novel you're reading for class? Wonder what others have said about that specific quote? Search for it with quotation marks to find out!

Bonus: You can also use this as a tool for fact-checking. Say you come across a meme on social media and find yourself wondering, Did Abraham Lincoln really say that? Google the exact wording of the quote -– using quotation marks -– to see if you can find the correct attribution. First, organize your research topic into concepts. Concepts are typically nouns or noun phrases. Using a databases' Advanced Search, enter each concept and its synonyms into a separate search line.

Use quotation marks around phrases, these are typically noun phrases that you would find a definition of in a dictionary. Limit to peer-reviewed articles if necessary. Use Boolean logic to add multiple synonyms or related terms. Boolean logic includes AND, OR, and NOT. This is easiest to do on the Advanced Search page when each keyword from your research statement has its own search box. Breaking down your research question or topic can help you figure out what search terms can be used to search through the library's catalog and databases.

If your research question is "What are the impacts of different teaching styles on student performance and motivation?", the keywords you should start with are teaching styles, student performance, and student motivation. Sometimes a book or article won't use the same words that you came up with. It is important to think of words similar to your original keywords that you may be able to use. You can use an online reference work to help you find other words or terms you can use. However, you won't use that as a source for your project as its not scholarly. For example, some keywords one could use for "teaching styles" are:

"Teaching Strategies" "Teaching Methods" "Instructional Methods" "Educational Techniques" A Boolean Search uses the operators AND, OR, and NOT to narrow, expand, or exclude results. Most databases allow you to use these words in the search bar, while some may require you to use the advanced search function. For example, Global Search requires you to put the Boolean Operators in ALL CAPS as shown below. In today’s digital age, the ability to effectively search the internet is not just a useful skill; it’s an essential one. With billions of websites and an endless amount of information available at your fingertips, knowing how to navigate the complexities of web search can save you time and effort while enhancing your productivity.

This article delves into the ten best web search tricks that everyone should know to streamline the process of finding information online. One of the most simple yet powerful tricks is to use quotation marks when searching for an exact phrase. For example, if you’re looking for information on “climate change effects,” using quotation marks will return results that include that exact phrase. This is particularly helpful when you’re seeking quotes or specific terminology because it narrows down the search results significantly. This method works because search engines treat the text within the quotation marks as a singular unit rather than separate keywords. As a result, the search engine prioritizes pages that contain the entire phrase, rather than pages that contain only some of the words.

Most search engines, including Google, offer advanced search operators that can refine your search even further. Here are some of the most useful operators: These operators allow you to tailor your searches to be as precise or broad as you prefer. Google, the world’s most powerful search engine, has changed how we find information. Use these advanced Google tips & tricks, and you’ll become a search ninja. If you’re looking for some fun, try the Google Hacks.

Advanced Google search techniques include using operators like “intitle:” to find words in a web page’s title, “filetype:” to search for specific file formats, and “OR” to search for one of multiple terms. These operators refine search queries, enabling more precise and targeted results. I’ve compiled the best advanced search operators to improve the way you search Google. Let’s go! Search query = Data entered in Google’s search field.Keyword = 1 or more words in your search query. AKA search terms.[bracket word] = words inside brackets are user-defined.

Article Search Tips Tricks

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