This document provides instructions and examples for using different search operators and features in Google Search to refine search queries and find specific types of information. It explains the following operators: exclusion (-), inclusion (+), similar words (~), multiple words (OR), number range (..), fill-in-the-blank (*), and exact phrase (" "). It also demonstrates how to use Google Search to find one-box answers for weather, time, sports scores, stock prices, businesses, movies, zip codes, calculations, conversions, spell check, definitions, flights, earthquakes, and public data. The document encourages exploring these search operators and one-box features to more effectively find information online.

2. Homepage

3. Say What You Want
What happened?
A "query" is the word or phrase you search for in Google.
Enter your
query here
Click this button
or hit "enter"

4. Another Search Option
What happened?
Try clicking "I'm Feeling Lucky."

5. Different Search Tools
Have you used these?

6. Advanced Search
Visit the Advanced Search page. Enter a
search using several of the search options
offered there.
What do you notice?

7. Language Tools
Visit the Language Tools page and see
what the different sections of the page do.
Try the Translate Search section. Visit
Google in another country.
Where did you go?

8. The Search Engine Results Page
Search bar
Left panel Organic (natural)
search results
Sponsored
links (ads)

9. Reading Individual Search Results

10. Give It a Try!
If you had a website, what would a
search engine show about your site?
Write a fictional search result, complete
with title, snippet, web address, and
similar links.

11. Questions About Search
What does it mean to search an index of
the web?
What are spiders? How do they help
build Google's index of the web?
How does Google search its index when
you enter a search query?
How does Google decide what search
results you really want?

12. How Search Works
Google engineer Matt Cutts explains how Google Search decides
which search results to give you, based on your search query.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BNHR6IQJGZs

13. What Does Google Do When You Search?
Search the index:
When you click the
Google Search
button, Google
races through its
billions of web
pages to find every
page that contains
the word or phrase
or group of words
you've used.
Analyze the web
pages for
relevance: Google
screens web pages
in the index to see
which ones are
most likely to have
what you're looking
for.
Evaluate each
site's reputation:
Google looks at
how often other
websites link to
these pages to
determine how
popular or useful
each one is.
Rank the web
pages: Having
scrutinized the web
pages in terms of
their relevance to
your search words,
Google presents
your results, with
what we believe
are the most useful
pages at the top.

14. What Matters In My Search Query?
Think of a topic or question you would like
to search for.
Pick three or four keywords to use in your
search query.
What happens if you reorder them? Add
capitalization or punctuation? What if you
take out a word?

15. What Matters In My Search Query?
1
Every word matters.
Try searching for [who], [the who], and [a who]
2
Order matters.
Try searching for [blue sky] and [sky blue]
3
Capitalization does not matter.
Try searching for [barack obama] and [Barack Obama]
4
Punctuation does not matter.
Try searching for [red: delicious! apple?] and [red delicious apple]
*
There are some exceptions!

16. Keyword Search
How do you come up with the right words to
search for? Can you remember a time when
you had trouble finding what you were
looking for? What makes certain searches
hard?

17. Tips For Better Searches
Use descriptive, specific words. Avoid general or common words.
3
Think of how the page you want will be written. Use words that are
likely to appear on the page.2
Keep it simple. Describe what you want in as few terms as
possible.1

18. Think Before You Search
What am I
looking for?
How would I
talk about this?
How would
someone else
talk about this?
What keywords could I use in my
search query?
Which of these keywords are common or
general words? Which would be more
specific? Are there better words I could
use?
What kind of
results am I
looking for?
Do I want a definition, a database, a list, a
map, an image, a video, or something else?
How can I
describe this
better?
What do I want? What am I trying to
find? What am I trying to find out?

19. Give It A Try!
Remember:
Keep it simple.
Use descriptive words.
Think of how the page you
want will be written.
And most importantly:
Think before you search!
Pick a topic you want to find out about
and brainstorm keywords to use in your
search query.

20. Choosing a Link
Does it matter which link you chose here?

21. Link Choice Can Matter
Would link choice make a difference here?

22. Give It a Try!
You are doing your homework on the early
days of our country.
Which of these searches find a screen full
of pretty helpful results, and where do you
have to be more choosy?
[colonial life]
[american revolution]
[treaty of paris]

23. The Anatomy of a Search Results Page
What are these parts called?

24. The Anatomy of a Search Results Page
1
2
34
56
1. Search Result
2. Title
3. Snippet
4. Web Address
5. Sponsored Link (Ad)
6. Left Panel

25. Ranking Results
How does Google's understanding of what I
want affect the order of my search results?

26. Think About What You See
What clues tell you if these results are about life in
the American Colonies?

27. Tips for Understanding Web Addresses
Is the domain name from a personal page hosting website?
For example: Homestead.com, Geocities.com, Tripod.com4
Is there a symbol (% or ~) or name, showing it is a personal page?
For example: %, ~, dchen, member, user3
What type of domain is it?
For example: .com, .edu, .gov, .ru, .info, etc.2
Have I heard of the domain?
For example: nytimes.com, lostagoodnews.com1
5
Does the address tell what kind of file it is?
For example: pdf, xls, jpg

28. Chose the Best Result
What am I
looking for?
Do the words I
see match my
needs?
Go to the
next result
Do the snippet and title use the words I
looked for in the same way I do? Are
there other words that tell me it is about
something else?
Which of these keywords are common or
general words? Which would be more
specific? Are there better words I could
use?
What kind of
results am I
looking for?
Do I want a definition, a database, a list, a
map, an image, a video, or something else?
Do I want a presentation, a spreadsheet, or
something else?
What does the
web address tell
me?
What do I really want? What do I think it
will look like? What kind of site do I
think it will be on?
Click!
Go to the
next result
Go to the
next result Remember: look at a full screen of results
before deciding!

29. Working with Instant Search

30. Give It a Try!
Try a search and discuss what links you would chose. Give evidence
for your results.
What can I learn about my results from these web addresses?
www.history.navy.mil/faqs/faq56-1.htm
www.sjsu.edu/faculty/watkins/taiping.htm
britishbattles.homestead.com/eastasia.html
www.redcoat.me.uk/Rev-War.htm
scs.student.virginia.edu/~vjil/PDF/48_249-306.pdf
Type [walk the plank] into your Google search bar very slowly. What
different searches does Google Instant think you are doing while you
type?

31. Google Search Has Many Parts--Many Media
Which have you used before?

32. Universal Search
Which types of media appear here?

33. Navigating Your Options

34. Navigating Your Options

35. Give It a Try!
On a sailboat what
is the fore topmast
studding sail and
where does it go?
What type of media do you think will answer this fastest?

36. Search Challenge
...to get directions for how to get from Disney World to
Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida ... by bicycle?
3
...to find out where Kermit the Frog appears in the
intro to The Muppet Show?
2
..to find a map of Marco Polo's journey to China?
.
1
Where would you go...

37. Google News
What is the news saying about mummies
of pharaohs?

38. Google News Archives
What did the news media say about them
in the past?

39. Google News Custom Date Range
And even farther in the past?

40. Google Books
What books can you find about plants that
were published between 1700 and 1800?

41. Give It a Try!
...the cover of Life Magazine from the month the
Vice President was born?
3
...a newspaper article from the day you were
born?
2
...books on baseball statistics from the 19th
Century?
1
Can you find...

42. Credibility
How do you know something is true?

43. It Can Be How You Look At Things...
●Site #1: Average of 382,500 km
●Site #2: Average of 384,403 km
●Site #3: Between 225,622 and 252,088 miles
●Site #4: Average of 238,857 miles
Same search, different answers:
Why do you think these are different?

44. Tips: What To Think About
3
What do I know about the author or organization
providing this information?
2
How much do I care for a precise, quality answer?
How much should I save up to buy that new phone?
What do I need to know for my report on the Civil War?
I want some recipe for homemade kettle corn?
1
Why was this page created?
To inform me
To persuade me
To sell me something
To undermine someone or something
For another reason

45. Tips: What To Do
Know who wrote and published the page
Find "About" page
Check web address
Visit site's homepage
Google the author/organization
Use link:
Ask: Is this the right person to give me good information?
l
1
Check your facts
Check multiple sources
Identify the type of page
Look for bibliography
Check the date
Confirm in snopes.com
Spot known errors
Think: Use your common sense!
2

46. Give It a Try!
Use the tips you have learned and decide which of
the websites are true and which are hoaxes:
http://setiathome.berkeley.edu/
http://zapatopi.net/treeoctopus/
http://www.dhmo.org/
http://www.golfcross.com/

47. Credibility
Credibility is often harder to determine
than simply identifying a hoax site.
Did NASA fake the moon landing?
Try this search:

48. Testing the Lunar Landing Hoax
Follow the first link:
http://www.ufos-aliens.co.uk/cosmicapollo.html
Check it out. Do you find this site credible?

49. Give It a Try!
Brainstorm and select a
commonly debated potential fact.
Do you believe it, or not? Do the
research to decide....
Remember to ask:
Who is the author?
What is the page's purpose?
What are opposing viewpoints?
And most importantly:
What do your instincts tell you?

50. What is an Operator?
An operator is a symbol that modifies the
words or numbers around it.
You already know some operators!
+
%
" "
*
_
( )
>
!
$ #
&

51. Google Search Operators
In search, an operator changes your search
query -- often with drastic results!
These operators can help you tweak, refine,
and narrow your search.
There are seven basic operators in Google
Search.

52. Exclusion (-)
The minus symbol (-) excludes words from
your search results.
Try these searches:
[panthers]
[panthers -sports]
What do you notice?

53. Inclusion (+)
The plus symbol (+) makes sure the word it
precedes is used exactly as you entered it.
Try these searches:
[ball]
[+ball]
What do you notice?

54. Similar Words (~)
The tilde symbol (~) includes similar words
in your search results.
Try these searches:
[food store]
[~food ~store]
What do you notice?

55. Multiple Words (OR)
The boolean "or" (OR) includes one, the
other, or both words in your search results.
Try these searches:
[curl straighten hair]
[curl OR straighten hair]
What do you notice?

56. Number Range (..)
The dot-dot symbol (..) includes a range of
numbers in your search results.
Try these searches:
[academy awards 1965]
[academy awards 1965..1973]
What do you notice?

57. Fill-in-the-Blank (*)
The star or asterisk symbol (*) leaves space
for a missing word in your search results.
Try these searches:
[dark and night]
[dark and * night]
What do you notice?

58. Exact Phrase (" ")
Double quotes (" ") include only the exact
phrase -- the exact words in the exact order
you entered them -- in your search results.
Try these searches:
[alexander bell]
["alexander bell"]
What do you notice?

59. Putting It All Together
• Exclusion (-)
• Inclusion (+)
• Similar Words (~)
• Multiple Words (OR)
• Number Range (..)
• Fill-in-the-Blank (*)
• Exact Phrase (" ")
Can you think of particular examples when
these search operators could help you?

60. "One-Box" Search Features
Google has learned there are certain kinds
of things that people search for all the time.
Movie times. Weather forecasts. Sports
scores. Local restaurants. Zip codes.
That's why Google has built-in "one-box"
search features to help you find exactly
what you need... right on the search results
page. Let's learn a few shortcuts to help you
locate "one-box" results.

61. Weather
See the four-day weather forecast for many
US and worldwide cities.
Try these searches:
[weather 90210]
[weather miami]
What do you notice?

62. Time
See the local time for many cities around
the world.
Try these searches:
[time london]
[time hong kong]
What do you notice?

63. Sports
See recent scores for your favorite sports
team.
Try these searches:
[boston red sox]
[new york yankees]
What do you notice?

64. Stocks
See up-to-the-minute stock quotes for
companies around the world.
Try these searches:
[stocks COKE]
[stocks PEP]
What do you notice?

65. Businesses
See stores and shops in your area.
Try these searches:
[thai food 94305]
[bookstore queens ny]
What do you notice?

66. Movies
See movie showtimes for your area, then
sort by specific movie, theater, or date.
Try these searches:
[movies 50301]
[movies seattle wa]
What do you notice?

67. Zip Codes
See the city name and map of the zip code
you're looking for.
Try these searches:
[77010]
[44123]
What do you notice?

68. Calculator
Use the Google Search bar as a calculator.
Try these searches:
[224.6 + 791 + 3]
[89 * 27]
What do you notice?

69. Conversions
Use the Google Search bar to convert units,
measurements, or currencies.
Try these searches:
[100 dollars in pesos]
[5 gallons in ounces]
What do you notice?

70. Spell Check
Use the Google Search bar as a spell-
checker.
Try these searches:
[cemetary]
[neccesary]
What do you notice?

71. Dictionary
See the definition of a word or phrase.
Try these searches:
[define right of way]
[define nebulous]
What do you notice?

72. Flights
Check the status of an airline flight -- origin,
destination, and take off and landing times.
Try these searches:
[american 45]
[continental 32]
What do you notice?

73. Earthquakes
See the most recent earthquakes (and their
magnitude!) around the world.
Try these searches:
[earthquakes baja california]
[earthquakes]
What do you notice?

74. Public Data
See the latest census information
(population, unemployment rates) for a
state or county.
Try these searches:
[unemployment rate california]
[population santa clara]
What do you notice?

75. Putting It All Together
Directions:
● Work individually or in teams.
● Use only the Google Search one-
box to find the answers.
● Refer to the Explore Google
Search page for help if needed.
● Some searches require a little
imagination! Guess the one-box
shortcut, and try it!
Google One-Box Scavenger Hunt
1.3456 + 78091 = ?
2.700000 / 89 = ?
3.What is 33% of 34,567?
4.How many inches are in 5 miles?
5.How many minutes are in 40 years?
6.What's the equivalent of $20 in rupees?
7.Name a movie and where it's playing in the 60637 zip code.
8.What is patent 20030095096 for?
9.What is the price of Electronic Arts stock today?
10.What's the population of Marin County?
11.How tall is Shaquille O'Neal?
12.When is Bill Clinton's birthday?
13.What's the predicted weather for Beverly Hills tomorrow?
14.What time is it in Beijing, China?
15.What time is it in Johannesburg, South Africa?
16.What is score of the last game played by your favorite in-
season sports team?
17.How many people live in the United States?
18.Correct the spelling of Misisippi.
19.What is the current unemployment rate in your home
county?
20.What will the weather be like three days from now in
Houston?
21.List a few comic book stores located in your local area.
22.List a G rated movie currently playing in the 60618 zip
code.
23.Where is American Airlines flight 177 taking off from and
landing?
24.What city has the zip code 94305?
25.What is the date of Napoleon's death?

76. Compare the Left Side of These Screens
What do you notice?

77. Give It a Try!
Try searching for something you
have been thinking about lately.
What tools in the left panel does
Google suggest you use?

78. A Closer Look
Remember these links?

79. A Closer Look
What happens when you
click these?

80. Features in the Left Panel
In 1990, two men stole 12 pieces of art from the Isabella
Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston, valued at $300
million altogether.
[gardner museum theft]
Timeline view: Which dates have the most mentions of
the theft since it happened? Click on the timeline to find
out why they are important.
Date range: What coverage has there been of the theft in
the last year?
Sites with images: What do the stolen pieces look like?

81. Features in the Left Panel
The country Turkey is trying to join the European Union.
What are people in Turkey saying about this process?
[turkey european union]
Translated search: Read English translations of sites
written in Turkish. What are EU member states saying
about Turkey? Add German and French to find out.
Wonder wheel: What other searches might you want to
do on this subject?

82. Give It a Try!
Use the options on the left side of the page to solve
these problems more efficiently:
1. Do a quick search to identify the biggest oil spills in
the last fifty years. Then, use a different tool to find
pages from the last week that mention oil spills.
2. Reading about the Mars Rover for science class,
you know that you'll understand better if the text has
lots of pictures to help you. What do you do?
3. You want to read what people were saying in
different European countries about Paul the Octopus.
Find pages about Paul in different languages.