If you want to know something, you can mostly find it online.
- A recipe for cheesecake without cheese.
- DIY aeroplane instructions.
- The meaning of Mulholland Drive (Don’t tell me about it, I don’t want to know; maybe just accept that sometimes the answer is that there isn’t one).
Being an expert in online search helps you access a vast amount of information quickly and efficiently. But, more importantly, it helps you uncover the truth.
As an expert in online search, you’ll develop know-how regarding where to look, how to look, and how to gauge content’s relevance and reliability.
You found this post, so you’re probably already pretty adept at online search! Read on to learn how to become an online search expert.
Learn How Google Works
What makes an expert an expert is that they know more than others and have developed skills that most people lack. Sometimes it doesn’t take as much time or effort as we might suspect to become above average at something.
Most people don’t understand (or care about) the ins and outs of searching and researching online. They care about results, not the process. They are more likely to throw a laptop out of a window than take the time to read some helpful online search information.
The people at Google are the crowned kings and queens of online search. While they continue their dominance in the search engine market, they also strive to innovate and expand their services to meet the ever-changing needs of users worldwide.
Take the time to learn about search intent, how algorithms work, and how Google interprets what you type to deliver personalized results.
Get Cosy With Advanced Searches
In the early days of the internet, everyone had to perform boolean searches or, once again, throw their PCs out of windows in frustration. And those things were heavy then.
Boolean operators are no longer so necessary, but experts use them routinely to get more accurate searches. They allow you to focus on what you want and weed out irrelevant content.
Let’s say you want to know about the city of Manchester, United Kingdom, but reading about Manchester United football club drives you mad. Boolean operators can keep your results relatively football-free.
Reverse Image Search
Many people don’t realize that you can not only search for images online, but you can also search using images.
To do a reverse image search via Google, click on the “search by image” symbol next to the search bar. Drag or upload your chosen image, or paste a link to its URL. Google can then find images that are similar. It may also show you where your chosen image has been used online.
Stay Alert
Setting up an alert keeps you in the loop without you having to perform repeated searches. You can receive notifications for specific keywords or topics that are of interest to you. This way, you can stay informed without constantly checking for updates.
Use what you’ve learned about Boolean operators to refine your search. Tell Google how often you want to receive alerts (whether every time it finds a hit or a daily digest). You’ll then receive the information whenever you visit the Google Alerts page or when it hits your inbox.
Use AI
AI is great at summarizing information and breaking down complex results, which makes it a valuable tool for researchers.
Keep in mind, however, that AI sometimes makes mistakes, so you need to check the sources it provides. And you should do your own reading to fully understand and fact-check the details.
Nonetheless, AI can pull complex information from huge documents or datasets and give you a guide to point you in the right direction.
It’s like picking up a thousand-page book and saying: “Hey, computer, do I really need to read this? Some of it’s in Latin. And I don’t even understand the title.” Computer response: “Most of this book will be irrelevant to you, but you’re going to find page 3667 interesting. Here’s why…”
Check Your Facts and Sources
Fact-checking and verifying sources separate expert searchers from amateurs. Making sure your sources are accurate will help build your reputation as someone reliable and professional.
Not checking your sources leads to the spread of misinformation, which wastes everyone’s time and devalues the internet.
Fortunately, despite the junk, the internet is still an information highway. You can find your way amid the maze of streets if you know how to read the signs, discerning fake news from real news.
Whenever you read something online, think about whether the site is reputable. Is the information up to date? And does the person who claims to have written it even exist?
Nuwber can help you find out if someone is who they say they are. Enter someone’s phone number and you can find out their full name, location, social media profiles, and other information that will help you verify that they are an authentic, existing human being.
Use Different Paths
While this post has been Google-heavy, it’s important to acknowledge that other search methods exist. X, for instance, is often used by journalists as its users post breaking news as it happens. Bing is arguably the best search site for images.
And online research is not all about search engines. While Wikipedia is often considered unreliable by researchers, it does list helpful sources.
Archives such as the British Film Industry and the Internet Archive are fantastic resources. Using an industry or theme-specific site is often a key way to find information.
Leverage Forums and Groups
Remember that you can connect with real people as an expert online researcher. Sites like Help a Reporter Out are great at connecting researchers and journalists to the sources they need. You can also leverage your personal and professional networks online.
Get back on LinkedIn, tell your network what you are searching for, and watch people jump to provide you with ideas and answers. Hit up Facebook to share your research needs far and wide.
We Need Online Search Experts
With so much information and, consequently, misinformation online, reputable, fact-checking, expert searchers and researchers are more precious than ever.
Hopefully, this post helps you find what you need more quickly with better accuracy and highlights ways to improve your online search skills. Your good habits will rub off on your friends and colleagues, so please keep searching responsibly, like a pro.
