TRY THESE TIPS FOR BETTER GOOGLE SEARCH RESULTS!
1. Use the Advanced Search option in Google. This allows you to get more specific search results because you can select filters such as dates, file types (ex: ppt), and domains (ex: .edu). You will find the Advanced Search option under "Settings" on the Google basic search screen.
2. Use the Search Tools option that appears below the search box on the results page. This allows you to narrow or refine your results.
3. When searching for business information, try combining your keywords with words such as "report" or "study" to learn about research conducted on your topic.
4. Find trade or professional associations by adding the word "association" to your business keyword search.
See the table below for other shortcuts you can use in a Google search to refine your results.
|
TIP |
WHAT IT DOES |
EXAMPLE(S) |
|
Search within a site |
Finds information from a specific website |
basketball site:butler.edu |
|
Search by file type |
Looks for links to specific types of files such as PPTs, XLS, or PDF |
“consumer behavior” filetype:ppt |
|
Find related pages |
If you find a helpful website, use the “related” function to find similar websites |
related:www.census.gov |
|
Minus (-) |
Excludes a keyword from the search—helpful when the same word has multiple meanings |
mustang -car |
|
Site or domain |
Use to get results only from certain sites or domains (ex: .org, .gov) |
transportation site:gov |
Before you copy/paste an image (photo, graph, cartoon, etc.) from Google, first make sure you have permission to do so! Look for images with a Creative Commons license by using the Search Tools button on Google Image Search.
Run your search using subject keywords. From the results page, click on the Search Tools button. Then select the Usage Rights drop-down list for the appropriate option.
Another great source for images with Creative Commons licensing is Flickr.com.
If you use a Creative Commons image, whether it is from Google, Flicker, or another image gallery, you need to give proper attribution (credit to the original source). See the box below for examples of how to do this. Or go to the Libguide for "Using Images & Media" for additional information.
Your attribution should follow this format, which adheres to Creative Commons best practices.
Title of image/video [linked to original image]
by Author [linked to profile page]
under License [linked to license deed]
Click on the tabs above to see examples.
My Paradise Beach_Cuba by Nick Kenrick. Used under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0.
Four Storms and a Twister by JD Hancock. Used under CC BY 2.0
Email Butler University Libraries
Irwin Library: 317-940-9227
Science Library: 317-940-9937
CAT: 317-940-8575
