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Learning how to Google properly is a skill that everyone needs to have. Being Google literate is an essential tool for anyone that uses the Internet as a research platform. By reading this small article, you are taking the first step into becoming a better searcher and an overall more resourceful individual. In a previous article, we explore Practical Searches . Today, we explore Problem Searches. More specifically, you are going to learn how to solve problems and ask questions the way Google needs you to ask them in order to get the maximum results.
These searches will often start with the following words:
• How to…
• Why does…
• Who is…
• What is…
• When does…
OR
• I can’t…
• I cannot…
• I want to…
• Will not…
The purpose of searching in question form or by making a statement is to find sites that reference the same question that you are asking yourself. Like practical searching, the question you ask must be clear and concise. You will find that most results that you will receive come from discussion board sites where people go and post questions for others to answer.
In our example, we are going to attempt to diagnose a car problem, more specifically, a car that will not start in the cold. We are also going to try to find solutions to this problem.
We first will start by stating our issue to Google: ~car +~winter OR ~cold + “Will not start” . Below is a link to the results: Click Here for Results
Running this search in standard Google search engine will yield many results that will guide you in the right direction. You could also try adding a specific car manufacturer or model at the end of your search to find results dealing specifically for your car.
The real power of problem searches is to use them in Google Groups (http://groups.google.com/ ). When you run your query in Google Groups, you will find that many discussions have been started dealing directly with the your keywords. See the exact same search we just carried out in the regular search engine, but now using Google Groups: Click Here for Results The results in Google Groups are presented very differently. Essentially, you are presented with conversartions that people have had in regards to the topics that you have searched for. When you click on a conversation, you will see every single reply that people have posted and the information that they have contributed to these converstations. You will often find valuable information simply by reading what others have to say and more importantly, you might come up with alternate queries as you go along. In a future series, 10MinutesMax.com will explore Google Groups in more detail in order to show you how to participate in conversations and get the information you need.
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