Mastering Google Search, Part I

Hopefully you're already familiar with Google, the internet's most popular search engine. You might have even used Google to find this very article. But, do you really know how to use it effectively? Learning how to use Google effectively can help you find exactly what you're looking for and save time while doing it.
Choosing Search Terms
Choosing the right search terms is the most important thing you can do to improve your search results with Google. If you're looking for affiliate marketing books for example, use the keywords "affiliate marketing books." Unfortunately these are going to give too many results. You need to narrow down your results. Are you looking for a particular book? Let's run through a list of keywords to find information on a particular affiliate marketing book, "Affiliate Project X."
affiliate -- 429,000,000 results
affiliate marketing -- 47,500,000 results
affiliate marketing book -- 3,840,000 results
affiliate marketing book project -- 2,790,000 results
affiliate marketing book project x -- 2,140,000 results
Something important is happening here. Notice each time you add another keyword to search for, you receive less results. This is because Google, by default, searches for only those pages that include all of the keywords you are searching for. Using multiple keywords allows you to narrow down on a subject very quickly. Remember though, if you miss the first time, try another keyword in place of one that you have already used. In my example, searching for "guide" instead of "book" could very well garner completely different results.
Within the top 10 results of Google for the "affiliate marketing book project x" search (without quotes) are many sites dedicated to the "Affiliate Project X" eBook. In this case, there were enough keywords to find exactly what I was looking for, even with 2,140,000 total results.
Capitalization, Common Words and Negative Terms
If you love to type in CAPITAL LETTERS, please don't do so when communicating with other people. Fortunately, Google doesn't care. Searching for "project x" is the same as "PROJECT X" or "Project X" to Google. Capitalization doesn't matter in your Google searches.
Common words are ignored. Google will tell you when it ignores a word on the results page below the search box. If you think an ignored word should be included in your search, add a "+" before the word ("+where").
Some searches will result in keywords that you don't want included. Have you ever searched for something that was obviously being monopolized? Block them out! If you are searching for chocolate candy and want nothing to do with the "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" movie, just add "-movie" to your search keywords. This will block out all mentions of the "movie" keyword; be careful.
Phrase Searches
If you're looking for an exact phrase, such as a book title, use a phrase search. A phrase search is performed by enclosing your key phrase in quotes.
Phrase searches are particularly helpful for solving computer errors. Have you ever received cryptic error messages from a computer program? Type the error message into Google, enclose the phrase in quotes and be prepared for targeted results that pertain exactly to what you're looking for! I have solved countless computer problems this way and you can too.
In Summary
Google is a powerful tool. The more you know how to use it, the better your search results will be. Use a combination of adding desired keywords and filtering unwanted keywords to obtain the best of targeted results. Choosing the right search terms can be difficult. If one doesn't work, substitute another in it's place. Remember: Google doesn't mind working for you. Try, try, and try again.
Have fun in your Google adventures!
About the Author
Erik Nitsu is a software developer constantly improving his knowledge of software tools to get the job done. He has recently been studying informational products and is providing honest reviews of what and what not to read at DealOrDud.com.
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