Today’s post has some basic tips for using Google from a guest blogger.

When you try Googling a term and the mighty search engine does not give relevant answers, do not fret. Most often it simply boils down to proper wording and punctuation. These are few tips that you may try if you want Google or other search engines to give you relevant answers to your valuable inquiry.

Keywords are the building blocks of every search engine. If you cannot find a relevant search from what you have typed in the Google Search Bar, try eliminating the articles conjunctions and verbs. Focus on the main words that make up your search. Paraphrasing may also help. Instead of typing “who wrote Huck Finn”, try “Huck Finn author”.

Using the word “OR” such as Harry Potter or Edward Cullens will make Google look for pages with either or both words in it. Using the word “AND” will result in web pages having both words accordingly. Proper wording will yield better results. In some cases maybe you have misspelled the word. Although a search engine will try its best to look for your inquiry, writing correct words will again yield better results and will not waste time and effort.

Punctuation also helps too. Enclosing your search in quotation marks will make the engine look for searches with the exact phrase you have enclosed in it. Putting a “:” such as in the case of Stephen King : Amazon will make Google look for Stephen King only in the Amazon website. In this example putting a ”:” lets you search a query in a specific website. Putting a “-” sign before a word means that you want to exclude the term from your search. Lastly, putting an “*” after a word will make it act as a placeholder and you are allowing Google to place there whatever words it matches with it.

When it comes to using your search engine more effectively: wording and punctuation are key. Search engines are very powerful tools. When used correctly you are assured to find only the most relevant information that you seek.

Jay Gardella is a technical researcher and innovator living in the mid-west. Gardella works as a representative for Clear Wireless and in his spare time he loves spending time with his friends and family.