Smart Keyword Searching

Just think! Every major search engine has information about millions and millions of World Wide Web sites. At the click of a button, a search engine sorts through what it "knows" and lists the sites it "thinks" you want. In some ways, a search engine is like a well-trained dog. It will fetch what you tell it to and only that.

HOW MANY WORDS?While single words are better commands for dogs, a balance between too few and too many words is better for searching. Think of Goldilocks tasting the porridge!

* A search for a single word may “fetch” a million sites. Obviously, it’s tough

and frustrating to check a million sites to find the best one for your needs. * Adding more words “fetches” fewer sites that are closer to what you need.* Adding too many words, such as an entire sentence or question, causes the search engine to “fetch” sites with any or all of those words.

Choose a search engine: Google, Yahoo, Bing, Ask, Dogpile, etc.

THE QUESTION: Is the element mercury toxic? Let’s say your teacher tells you to find the

answer. In your search engine, start by typing in mercury and hitting the enter key.

Look over the description of the first ten sites in the list.

Google

298,000,000 results

Element, planet, solar system, marine, cars, CDC, images, insurance,

By now you may realize that the word mercury has more than one meaning. Try addingan additional key word to tell what it is about mercury that really interests you. Type in mercury element.

Look over the description of the first few sites in the list.

Although these sites might have the answer to your question, they might not. Now try adding athird word. Type in mercury element toxic.

Look over the description of the first few sites.

Now you are getting somewhere! By now all the sites retrieved should help answerthe question.

How many results do you get using each of these search termsSearch terms Resultsants 53,200,000ants eggs 7,870,000worker ants eggs 977,000“worker ants” eggs 47,500

3008976

Image, book, and wine

1,310,000

Element, poison, planet

What is the question

“worker ants” eggs k3 702

Looking at the Numbers - CONCLUSIONCompare the number and types of web results for your searches as they relate to or connect with the search terms you used. In other words, write sentences describing what you learned from doing this assignment. What did you learn about choosing key words?

Deez nuts

READ THE DIRECTIONS BEFORE YOU BEGIN

1. Make a list of questions that form in your mind when you read the question: A Who is the vice presidentB. When is his birthdayC. What day is it.

2. Make a list of key words you will use for your search:A. dayB. vice presidentC. birthday

QUESTION:

Which day of the week will the vice president’s birthday fall on during the

next year?3. After you put your key words in the search box, keep track of every step you

take to get the answer – new key words, synonym changes, etc.

4. The answer is: ____November 20___________________________________

Buffalo Keyword Challenge: Read the directions!

1. 1 st Attempt : Record the Key Words you dragged into the box.

2. 2 nd Attempt : Record the Key Words you dragged into the box.

3. 3 rd Attempt : Record the Key Words you dragged into the box.

4. Score:100

5. What synonym could you use for “how many”?

number