The Internet is full of information, loads of information, tons of information, sometimes too much information! Finding what you want can be a challenge. These tips should help you find your way more efficiently. (Check out our page of short-cuts to selected search tools.)

1: Understand the different types of search tools:

Directories: Lists of websites arranged by subject. They don't list everything on the whole Web (this is good!) Sites are selected by real people who take the time to decide if a site is worth looking at or not. Browse them by subject categories or search through them by keywords. Examples: Britannica, OpenDirectory, Yahoo. (Although Yahoo is one of the most popular directories, it's not as picky about what it includes. Britannica is better at this.)

 

Search Engines/Web Crawlers: These are huge files of millions of websites. Computer programs 'crawl' around the Internet finding new websites to include. Real people aren't making decisions about what's useful and what isn't. Everything gets thrown in together! Search these files by keywords and come up with resources from all over the Web. You have to sift through them to find the 'good stuff'. Examples: AltaVista, Google, HotBot

 

Meta-Search Engines: No directory or search engine covers all the websites in the world. So, sometimes you end up using one, then another, and another.... Meta-search engines make this easier. They send your search off to a whole bunch of directories and search engines and give you results from all of them, all at once. Real handy. Examples: Ixquick, DogPile, MetaCrawler

 

Many directories include access to a search engine and vice-versa. A comprehensive list of search tools is available from the SUNY Albany Library Search the Internet site

2: Pick the right tool

Popular or broad topics: If you're looking for information about a popular or broad topic (travel, sports, history, hobbies, health, education, etc.), start with a directory and see what they think are the best sites for those topics.

 

Specific topics: Looking for a very specific or unusual topic (train travel in Russia, history of a small town, how to keep cats out of your garden), then try a search engine. And be specific. If you don't find what you need, you can always use broader terms.

 

Lots of results fast: If you need lots of results, fast, use a meta-search engine. Be prepared to sort through them for the 'good stuff'.

3: Search tips

Decide what words to search on: Think of the various words and phrases that describe what you're looking for. If the first words you try don't work, try some others.

 

Use phrase searching: Many search tools let you put a words inside quote marks to indicate that you want sites where those words appear in that exact order. For example, a search for "Hudson River Valley", would not find sites mentioning the "the Hudson River flows through a lovely valley". The words have to appear in the order you entered them, with no words in between - an exact phrase.

 

Use more than one search tool: If you don't find what you want using one search tool, try another.

 

Find some good 'starting points': There are many wonderful specialized directories that list websites on particular topics, like health, education, travel, gardening and on and on. These are often the best places for you to start looking for information on a particular topic. You'll find them listed in your favorite magazines, advertised on TV and radio, friends will tell you about them too. And you can use general directories, like Britannica, Yahoo and OpenDirectory, to find these great sites too.

 

Bookmark the great stuff: When you find great websites, don't lose track of them. Use the Bookmark (Netscape) or Favorites (Explorer) feature of your browser to create your own directory of your favorite websites. Check the help files on your browser for details.

 

Don't forget to guess: Sometimes you can 'guess' the web address is for the information you need. If you're interested in Honda cars, try http://www.honda.com/. Or for Cornell University, try http://www.cornell.edu/. This doesn't always work, so don't spent too much time guessing!

4: Articles to help you become a super searcher!

Sink or Swim: Internet Search Tools and Techniques

A thorough introduction to search techniques and tips & tricks for using popular search tools.

 

Smart Searching: Web Search Strategies
Learn to choose the right search engine, how to do specialized searches and more. This is part of a website dedicated to search tools. Lots of searching advice and news.

 

Checklist of Internet Research Tips
Nice collection of tips from the SUNY Albany library. This site has many other helpful tutorials as well.

 

KidsClick: Worlds of Web Searching
Help the children in your life learn basic Internet search strategies and skills. (Good for grownups too!)