Advanced Google Searches

Using the Advanced Search on Google is similar to doing the Boolean search, only it's all laid out on one page. The Advanced Search option allows users to further narrow down a search using precise words and phrases. To open the Advanced Search option, simply do a normal Google search, click the "Settings" button, then "Advanced Search." For this example, I selected to search the term "corgis" and I got over 11 million results, let's narrow that down. The following depicts the "Advanced Search" button after a basic Google search.

Figure 1.13

The following are examples of what the Advanced Search page looks like. Notice all the different sections. Here you can either search for the "exact" words or phrases, "any" of the words or phrases, "none" of the words or phrases, and so on. Google even provided an example of that search type. You can narrow results by region of publication, language, time of last update, domain extension, file type, and usage rights. Usage rights will be more important for images and will be discussed shortly. The following are my search results.

Figure 1.14

Figure 1.15

Figure 1.16

When searching for images to use in a project or for a class, it is important to understand that not every picture is free to use online. Different pictures have certain licenses attached to them. Some pictures are labeled for people to use and modify (meaning you can edit the photo), others are strictly for commercial use. To demonstrate the different image rights, I'm going to go back to my original search of "corgis" and click on "Images" under the search bar. The following are image results for "corgis."

Figure 1.17

Adorable, right?

To narrow my search down to images that I am free to use and modify, click the "Tools" button under the search bar, depicted below.

Figure 1.18

Instead of going through the Advanced Search page, I can do quick modifications to your search here. Click on the "Usage Rights" button to display a drop-down window of usage options. Select the "Labeled for noncommercial reuse and modification" option, as shown below.

Figure 1.19

The following images after the usage option is selected are free for students to use and modify.

Figure 1.20

Remember, when you feel overwhelmed with search results, there are options available for you to narrow your search down and select the best source that will help you.

Think you know everything about this section? Take the quiz on this section of the webquest by selecting the "Searching Quiz" link below.