Google has the largest search database and is very good at returning useful results. Google uses mathematical formulas to rank a web page based on the number of "important" pages that link to it. When a search is conducted, Google lists the most popular sites at the top of the list.

You need to use special kinds of words in a search - if you use the right kind of words, the search engine will give you good responses. Read this advice on choosing keywords.

Here is an example of a search on Google: (http://www.google.com)

Think about:

• What sort of information do you require 
• Which are the most important key words.

Example of a question:

What is the effect of the moon on the tides in the sea?

Ask yourself: "What would be the KEY WORDS in this question?

Type in these keywords in the Google search box (see below):

Click on Google Search

The next screen gives you a list of websites to look at. In the blue bar you will see that there are 73 500 sites to look at. You may wish to narrow the search down by re-typing the search and adding another keyword. However, you may also find exactly the information you are looking for without reading more than the first few sites. Click on the hyperlinks to the websites listed (underlined in blue) to explore the websites.

Other Keyword Search Engines

Explore Alta Vista keyword rules

Using Alta Vista

Explore other search engines   online.