Searching Google Smartly

Basic Guides to Searching Google

(Google)
(Harvard University Library)

​More on Keywords

Google Search Result Tabs and Filters

Filter your search results after conducting a search. When viewing results, notice how you can click on different tabs (e.g., News, Videos, Maps, Images), including additional options under the More drop-down.

When you are on any of the tabs and click on the Search tools button, you will open up even more options for narrowing results such as filtering Google for "free-to-use" images.
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​NOTE: ​From the search results, you may also access Advanced search by clicking on the cog wheel icon. Learn more below.

Google Advanced Search

Rather than just searching from the main Google page, try using an advanced search. Click on Settings and select Advanced search. Experiment and see what different search results you can find!

​You may alternatively use search operators when conducting a regular Google search. 

Did you know there is also an advanced image search? When on the main image search page, similarly click on Settings and select Advanced search.

Google Docs Research Tool

When you are using Google Docs, you also have access to a built-in research tool. To get started, watch the video on the right or read these ​text-based instructions.

NOTE: The research tool's citation feature makes it easy to attribute resources that you use. Just keep in mind that if you are instructed to use MLA format, the footnote-style of attribution is not proper. In this case, you could use one doc for taking notes with footnotes, and then start a new doc for your actual paper/essay. In your paper/essay doc, you could copy footnotes from your notes into the works cited page.

Understanding How Google Works

Like most people, you likely focus on the first page of your Google search results. However, it is important to understand how Google ranks search results.
Bottom Line: Websites that may be helpful for your research might appear further down in search results simply due to Google's ranking algorithms. You may find these "buried" resources more easily when using filters and advanced search features introduced above.

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Resources on Using Google with Students