Just when I feel like I’m making some headway I have a nagging sense that there is still so much more I have to learn about the nuances, intricacies and minutiae of Google.
What frustrates me, and no doubt many other users, is how easy it is to miss or forget something important about the constantly evolving world of online search.
For example, recently I forgot that Google filters my search results if I am logged in. By way of investigation I ran a complex search for some specific food science information and clearly proved that Google cannot predict the information I need. The lesson here is to log out of Google if you want to embark on some serious, critical searching.
One possible solution for the sophisticated academic or corporate online investigator is the use of Deeper Web – an innovative search engine plug-in and an essential Firefox add-on for Google.
Deeper Web results appear in the right hand of your search screen – though there are other layout options to choose from. You now have a way of filtering searches at any time – from sources and by tags, phrases, sites and zones. When tags or phrases are deleted the search results are automatically updated.
You will also be presented with a series of window boxes below the tag window providing search results from a range of sources. You can then hide those sources you don’t want to see, for example, debatably credible Wikipedia or Answers.
However, I do like and recognise the value of the other collection options of ‘Metrics Search‘, ‘News Search‘, ‘Resources Search‘ and ‘Blog Search‘. Ultimately this needs further investigation and as a trial I really should add this functionality to all my Firefox browsers on all my devices. I’m not sure what I am missing but I must be missing something if this isn’t known or used more widely!
So while this is no direct replacement to Google’s Wonder Wheel, it seems a definite enhancement of my Google Search experience. I am now wondering what other tools or enhancements I have forgotten or missed out on..?
Tell us if you know about something else that is pretty good or if you use any other additional tools to enhance your searching.
If you have any questions related to how to best conduct research, Ask an Expert!
Indexing hugely affects the success of researchers finding the right results, as detailed by our in-house expert, Carol Hollier:
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(Image Credit: Charles Deluvio at Unsplash)
