Search Mastery: Finding What You Actually Need - Cheat Sheet
Effective Query Formulation
- Use specific terms rather than vague language
- Include distinctive keywords related to your topic
- Think about terminology experts would use
- Try synonyms when initial searches don’t work
- Focus on unique aspects of what you’re seeking
- Consider different phrasings of your question
- Use natural language for complex questions
Essential Search Operators
Operator | Function | Example |
” ” | Exact phrase search | “climate change solutions” |
- | Exclude terms | python programming -snake |
site: | Search specific website | site:edu climate research |
OR | Find pages with either term | (apartment OR flat) rental |
filetype: | Find specific file types | filetype:pdf research methods |
intitle: | Find pages with term in title | intitle:review smartphone |
before:/after: | Limit by date | climate report after:2022 |
Advanced Search Techniques
- Boolean operators: Combine AND, OR, NOT for precision
- Wildcard searches: Use * to replace unknown words
- Number ranges: Use .. between numbers (£100..£200)
- Related sites: related:website.com
- Cache view: cache:website.com to see Google’s saved version
- Define terms: define:term for dictionary definitions
- Combine operators: site:gov filetype:pdf “renewable energy”
Specialized Search Resources
- Google Scholar: Academic papers and citations
- PubMed: Medical and health research
- USPTO: Patent searches
- Internet Archive: Historical web pages
- Library databases: Subscription research resources
- Data.gov: Government datasets
- Specialized forums: Industry-specific knowledge
Search Troubleshooting
- If results are too broad: Add more specific terms
- If results are too narrow: Remove terms or use broader concepts
- If terminology is unclear: Use “related searches” suggestions
- If finding nothing relevant: Try completely different terms
- If results seem biased: Use private browsing and different engines
- If seeking diverse views: Add terms like “debate” or “controversy”
- If language is a barrier: Use translation tools or search in multiple languages
Search Privacy Tips
- Use private browsing for sensitive searches
- Try privacy-focused engines (DuckDuckGo, Startpage)
- Clear search history periodically
- Disable search history saving when possible
- Use VPN for additional privacy
- Be cautious with personal information in searches
- Remember that “free” search engines monetize your data
Search Result Evaluation
- Check source credibility before clicking
- Look for recent dates for time-sensitive topics
- Distinguish between ads and organic results
- Read snippet text to evaluate relevance
- Notice domain types (.edu, .gov, .org, .com)
- Look for primary sources when possible
- Be aware of personalization affecting your results