Beyond Google
Google is definitely the top search engine but check Search Engine Showdown for the latest Internet search engine news and tips on good searching.
- BlekkoHumans are behind some of the slash tags you use to refine your search. /date /news /health /environment
- Duck Duck GoThe search engine that doesn't track you.
Web Search Strategies
- Web Search Strategies in Plain EnglishVideo gives a quick review of basic search strategies for accurate search results
- The Invisible WebIt is estimated that as much as 90% of the pages linked to the Internet are not visible to search engines such as Google and Bing. Information in databases like the SFCC Library articles and online reference books is mostly not visible to search engines. Subject directories and databases are important additional resources.
Better Google Searching
Online Google Search Guide http://www.googleguide.com
Google - Organizes sites by popularity with the most often linked to pages first.
Google search tips:
Use quote marks to search by phrase for example: "study skills"
Keywords work better than natural language
Word order matters so use the most important words first. You may use
30 words in a search, so be specific.
Advanced search allows Google to search a single specific web site
(Domain) for all the occurrences of a keyword or phrase.
Site Search You may limit your search to a specific type of domain by typing
site:edu for education or site:gov for government
Date range may be indicated by using periods between dates. 1970....2000 for example:
laptop invented 1970....2000
* is a wildcard in Google that can substitute for a word or words. This is handy when you can't remember all the words in a phrase or someone's middle name for example: Brooker * Washington
See this Google search guide for all the details.
Research Help
Contact Options
Our professional librarians are available to help you with using any of the library's electronic resources. Please contact us if you require assistance.
 |
In Person SFCC, building 2. |
 |
By Email ReferenceDesk.SFCC@sfcc.spokane.edu |
 |
By Phone 509.533.3834 or 1.800.251.1972 |
 |
By Chat Ask Us 24/7! |