Web Browsers : Search Engines "Boolean Searches"

Searching on the Internet can be a daunting task, sometimes, if you do not word your search words correctly or in the correct order.  Boolean searches have been around for quite some time and allow words/phrases to be searched separately, searched together, or not searched at all.  And it all stems from the uses of these three words:

or

and

not

Using the word "or" allows you to search for cats or dogs so at least 1 of the search words will come up with information.

Using the word "and" allows you to search for cats and dogs so both search words will come up with the information together, not separately.

Using the word "not" allows you to search for cats not dogs so cats is the only search word searched and search information on dogs will never show up.

Separating your search words using the boolean search words "or, and, not" will make a difference in the information that is searched and displayed correctly.  Also try using the characters:

+ (must search for this word) Such as Chocolate +cake

- (must NOT search for this word) Such as Chocolate -cake

" " (searches for phrases of words together) Such as "Hampton-Dumont Bulldogs"

Check out more visual diagrams with these search terms at: http://www.internettutorials.net/boolean.asp

Check out more visual diagrams specific to Boolean Searches in Google at: http://www.internettutorials.net/basic-search-techniques.asp

Boolean search activity: http://www.teachingideas.co.uk/welcome/5223.htm