Guide on how to search the internet

Search Workflow

This is my personal workflow if I am searching for something on the internet.

***Important***
Do not forget to bookmark websites of interest!
(In the top menu of your Internet Explorer click on "Favorites" and then on "Add to Favorites")

Search Engines

Most of the time this will be your first starting point to find what you are looking for.

1. Think about the search string, what would be a common formulation for the subject you look for?

2. Start with a complex search string with all the words that came to your mind (usually 3-5 words). Also use + and - or hyphons to get a good result as it was explained in the previous chapter.

3. Evaluate the first 4 - 5 results the search engine gives you and refine your search string if you are not satisfied with the accuracy of your results. Also keep an eye on the amount of search results you get because that indicates if your search string was too specific. It depends on the area and how popular the subject is you have searched for and after some time you will get a feeling if the amount of search results is high or not. In general if you get less than 1000 search results and you do not look for a very specific subject your search string is too specific.

4. I go through the steps 1 - 3 until I found what I was looking for. I always vary the search strings and make them more or less specific and include or exclude words and phrases.

Search in Directories and Follow Links

If you look for very specific information it is most of the time more efficent to look for links or specialized directories with links to the subject you are looking for. A directory is something like the yellow pages online where you can find links categorized according to certain topics.

1. Use a search engine to find a website that deals with the broad subject you are looking for.

2. Look in the navigationmenu of this site for menu items titled "Links" or "Resources". You will find further informations and selected links in these sections of the website.

3. Follow some of the links that sound interesting to you and continue surfing from website to website until you have found what you were looking for.

Community Sites

Another great ressource for information are community sites on which people talk with eachother about certain subjects. Many experts in their field populate online boards or forums and are a great help to everyone looking for information.

1. Use a search engine to find community sites in the area you are interested in. To find these sites add one of the following terms to your subject in your search string:
+community
+portal
+forum
+board

2. Look in the navigationmenu for menuitems that are named "Forum", "Discussion", "Community", "Chat", "Talk" or "Board".

3. Most of these forums have a search function located on the top of the site. Use this search function to search what you are looking for.

4. If you can not find the information you are looking for just ask in the forum. You will be able to write in most forums after you have registered. Most registrations are free and necessary to prevent anonymous people to write nonsense in the forum or insult other forum users. When u ask a question make sure that you clearly state what you are looking for. Good questions get good answers.