Syntax for Search Engines

NorthernLight Tips sheet: [gif] [pdf]

• " " for phrases ["four score and seven years ago"]
• +/AND to require word or phrase [cats AND dogs]
• -/NOT to exclude word or phrase [+cats -dogs]
• OR for any of terms [encryption OR cryptography]
• () combines boolean elements: [("bose einstein condensate" OR BEC)]
• % replaces one character [gene%logy finds genealogy and geneology]
• * replaces multipce characters [chemi* finds chemisty, chemical, etc.]

Fields include: COMPANY:, TEXT: (anywhere in text), TITLE: (in document title), URL: (text in URL). Colon separates field name and object of search; e.g., TITLE:"Northern Light" and NorthernLight

Snap

Elements are " ", +, -

AltaVista

Elements are " ", +, -. *

Fields include host:, domain:, link: (specific URL), title: , urt: (specific words in the URL), anchor:, apple:, image:, text:.

Can use natural languge queries.

HotBot imposes 1000 result limit

Elements include " ", AND, NOT, OR

Pull down menus for "look for" and for return functions: number, nature of descript, time period and location.

Dogpile

Elements include " ", ( )

Searches in web catalog and in regional yellow and white page, require a comma to separate search topic from geographic area (city, state and/or ZIP code).

Oingo

Short phrases are best way to search.

Only element is +; otherwise assumes OR between words.