Image via CrunchBaseSearch Engine Optimization
Using search engines by a researcher requires them to be tactful through the use of advanced search operators and vertical search engines. A vertical search engine performs a scan for specialty items (i.e., government, financial, computer).[1]
Bruce Clay Inc
Advanced search operators are tools that optimize the filtering of large batches of website information that is retrieved by the search engines. On the Bruce Clay website where they are experts in providing solutions the area of Global Internet Marketing. Bruce Clay describes the importance of using advanced search operators for Search Engine Optimization (SEO) in order to find specific information:
"Search engines find what you tell them to search for. A typical search will often return too many results or even results that are not relevant to the subject at hand. Therefore, search engines such as Google, Yahoo! and MSN came up with tools to narrow the search to obtain the specific information being requested. They have also created several search commands that are very useful for SEO experts as well as searchers who want very specific information. These tools are called Advanced Search Operators. Operators modify the query when asking the search engines for specific type of information that a general search cannot provide. These operators have a particular meaning to each of the different search engines, but not all engines accept the same operators." [2]
GoogleGuide
On the GoogleGuide website, there is a concise list of advanced search operators that are useful for finding specific information on the internet; and they include the following: [3]
- Search Service Search Operators Web Search:
allinanchor:, allintext:, allintitle:, allinurl:, cache:, define:, filetype:, id:, inanchor:, info:, intext:, intitle:, inurl:, link:, phonebook:, related:, site:
- Image Search
- Groups
- Directory
- News
- Product Search
For more information on search engine methodologies, operators, and hacking databases ...
- Johnny Long, Google Hacking for Penetration Testers (detailed version)
- Johnny Long, Google Hacking for Penetration Testers (summary version)
[1] Danny Sullivan, "Specialty Search Engines - Search Engine Watch (SEW)," SearchEngineWatch.com
http://searchenginewatch.com/2156351.
[2] Bruce Clay, "Advanced Search Operators," Bruce Clay - Search Engine Optimization,
http://www.bruceclay.com/advancedsearches.htm.
[3] "Google Search Operators," Google Guide
http://www.googleguide.com/advanced_operators.html
[4] Bruce Clay, "What the Engines Think is Spam," Search Engine Optimization,
http://www.bruceclay.com/emergingstandards.htm.
