Power Searching with Google from edX

Get the most out of your search engine skills!

While searching on the Internet is easy and fast, it’s not intuitive or straightforward. This course, Power Searching With Google, covers everything you need to know to become a power searcher, someone who can find information quickly, effectively and accurately.

This course will cover everything from search basics (how to make an effective query), up through advanced search tips and search feature methods (using operators like intext: filetype: and site: to narrow your search), along with ways to determine if what you’re finding is credible. Each unit covers a fundamental aspect of online search, teaching you to be more guided and precise in your online research.

Your instructor, Daniel Russell, has been on the inside of the Google Search engineering team since 2005. His research on how people use online search tools to find what they seek gets translated into effective tips and tricks everyone should know.

What's inside

Learning objectives

How to create an effective query, , including how to choose the right keywords
The inside story of how google creates its index and serves up good results to your query
How to use all of the advanced operators, , including how to read the inside of a url to your advantage
How to determine if a site is credible or not

Ways to use image searches to find examples of things you need (in ways you haven’t heard about)
How to use google scholar, the repository of peer-reviewed scholarly information
How to use google books for more than extracting a quote from a famous author

How to create an effective query, , including how to choose the right keywords
The inside story of how google creates its index and serves up good results to your query
How to use all of the advanced operators, , including how to read the inside of a url to your advantage
How to determine if a site is credible or not
Ways to use image searches to find examples of things you need (in ways you haven’t heard about)
How to use google scholar, the repository of peer-reviewed scholarly information
How to use google books for more than extracting a quote from a famous author

Syllabus

Lesson 1

1.1 Introduction

1.2 Tools menu, filtering by color and image type

1.3 How search works

1.4 Art of keyword choice

1.5 Word order matters

1.6 Shortcut for finding text on a webpage

Lesson 2

2.1 Suggestions as you type and Related searches

2.2 From idea to understanding Using define:

2.3 Different modes of content: Web, News, Images, Shopping, Videos

2.4 Reading the SERP: Lateral Browsing

2.5 Google Scholar and Google Patents

Lesson 3

3.1 How the web is organized (and why you need to know)

Deep web vs. Visible web

3.2 Filetype: operator

3.3 Minus operator

3.4 The OR operator and Using double quotes

3.5 In-text operator and Advanced Google search

4.1 Search by image

4.2 Shortcuts: weather, flight information, and time

4.3 Use Google's calculator for conversions

4.4 Date range limiting

Lesson 5

4.5 Using Advanced Search to limit by region/language & Google Translate

5.1 Understanding ranking/verifying via image search and multiple perspectives

5.2 Data changes depending on question asked/Confirmation bias

5.3 Verifying quotations using Google Books

5.4 Who owns a website?

5.5 Common misconceptions in online search

Lesson 6

6.1 Combining search methods

6.2 How to think broadly in your searching

6.3 After the class: How to stay on top of things

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Advances the skills of intermediate learners

Addresses a highly relevant topic in academia

Taught by Daniel Russell, a tenured researcher within the Google Search engineering team

Offers a comprehensive study of how to use search tools and become a power seacher

Provides a strong foundation for beginners in understanding the basics of search

Requires the use of technology with internet access

Reviews summary

Learn advanced techniques

According to students, this course will help improve skills in searching the internet, including both basic skills and advanced techniques. It can be completed quickly if only focusing on the activity sections or more comprehensively if the video sections are watched as well. Overall, students appreciate the value of the search tips learned in this course.

Those with some search experience can skip the videos and focus on the activity sections to learn more quickly.

"Fast track for those who already know several search tricks: most course sections have a video part and an activity part."

"Skip the video part and focus on the search tips given in the activity part."

Learn the basics of searching the internet along with advanced techniques to refine and broaden search results.

"This course learns you not only the basics but also creative ways to narrow or broaden your search"

Learn how to use image search, date range, and filters in searches and how to check the credibility of search results.

"how to use image search, date range, filters and more in your search"

Students recommend this course as a good use of time to learn about search techniques.

"Taking this course is time well spent."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Power Searching with Google with these activities:

Review Basic Search Techniques

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Brush up on basic search techniques to strengthen your foundation for the course.

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Review online resources or tutorials on basic search techniques.
Practice using basic search operators and keywords.
Evaluate your search results and refine your queries as needed.

Follow Tutorials on Google Search Features

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Explore Google Search tutorials to gain a better understanding of its advanced features and capabilities.

Browse courses on Image Search

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Search for tutorials on Google Search features.
Follow the tutorials and complete any exercises.
Apply what you've learned to your own searches.

Practice Queries

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Explore search engine queries in Google by testing them out on your own.

Browse courses on Google Search

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Create a list of search queries.
Run the queries and evaluate the results.
Repeat the process with different queries.

Three other activities

Expand to see all activities and additional details

Show all six activities

Form a Study Group

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Meet with other students to discuss search strategies, share tips, and work on exercises together.

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Find a group of students to form a study group.
Determine a meeting schedule.
Choose topics to discuss and work on.

Connect with Google Search Experts

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Reach out to professionals in the field of search engine engineering for guidance and support.

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Identify potential mentors through online communities or industry events.
Craft a personalized message introducing yourself and requesting mentorship.
Follow up with potential mentors and build relationships.

Participate in Search-Related Contests

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Test your search skills and gain recognition by participating in search-related contests or hackathons.

Browse courses on Search Engine Optimization

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Research and identify relevant contests or hackathons.
Form a team or work individually on a contest submission.
Develop and refine your search strategies and techniques.
Submit your work and present it to a panel of judges.

Career center

Learners who complete Power Searching with Google will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Search Engine Optimizer (SEO) Specialist

Search Engine Optimizer (SEO) Specialists are responsible for improving the visibility and ranking of websites in search results. By understanding how search engines work, you can learn how to optimize websites for relevant keywords and phrases. This can lead to increased traffic and conversions, which can benefit businesses of all sizes. This course teaches you how to do just that, and can help you develop the skills you need to succeed in this exciting and in-demand field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Search Engine Optimizer (SEO) Specialist

Digital Marketing Manager

Digital Marketing Managers are responsible for planning and executing marketing campaigns that reach target audiences through digital channels. By understanding how search engines work, you can learn how to create effective search engine marketing campaigns that can reach a large number of potential customers. This course teaches you how to do just that, and can help you develop the skills you need to succeed in this exciting and in-demand field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Digital Marketing Manager

Information Security Analyst

The ability to verify the credibility of websites is a valuable skill for Information Security Analysts, who are responsible for protecting an organization's data and systems from cyber attacks. By understanding how search engines work, you can learn how to find credible information about, for example, the latest security threats and how to protect against them. This course teaches you how to do just that, and can help you develop the skills you need to succeed in this exciting and in-demand field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Information Security Analyst

Social Media Manager

Social Media Managers are responsible for creating and managing social media content that engages target audiences and promotes brand awareness. By understanding how search engines work, you can learn how to create content that is optimized for relevant keywords and phrases. This can lead to increased traffic and conversions, which can benefit businesses of all sizes. This course teaches you how to do just that, and can help you develop the skills you need to succeed in this exciting and in-demand field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Social Media Manager

Content Marketing Manager

Content Marketing Managers are responsible for creating and distributing content that is valuable, relevant, and engaging to target audiences. By understanding how search engines work, you can learn how to create content that is optimized for relevant keywords and phrases. This can lead to increased traffic and conversions, which can benefit businesses of all sizes. This course teaches you how to do just that, and can help you develop the skills you need to succeed in this exciting and in-demand field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Content Marketing Manager

Business Analyst

Business Analysts are responsible for analyzing business needs and recommending solutions to improve efficiency and productivity. By understanding how search engines work, you can learn how to find credible information about, for example, industry best practices and new technologies. This course teaches you how to do just that, and can help you develop the skills you need to succeed in this exciting and in-demand field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Business Analyst

Data Analyst

Data Analysts are responsible for collecting, cleaning, and analyzing data to help businesses make informed decisions. By understanding how search engines work, you can learn how to find credible information about, for example, data analysis techniques and tools. This course teaches you how to do just that, and can help you develop the skills you need to succeed in this exciting and in-demand field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Analyst

Web Developer

Web Developers leverage search engine optimization (SEO) to help maximize the visibility of the websites they design and develop. By understanding how search engines work, you can learn how to improve a website's ranking in search results. This can lead to increased traffic and conversions, which can benefit businesses of all sizes. For example, this course teaches how to find credible information and websites, as well as how to use search engine operators to narrow your search results and find exactly what you're looking for. This is a valuable skill for Web Developers who need to be able to find accurate information about, for example, web development best practices, or how to debug a website's code.

See salaries and explore the career path for Web Developer

Market Research Analyst

Market Research Analysts are responsible for collecting, analyzing, and interpreting market data to help businesses make informed decisions. By understanding how search engines work, you can learn how to find credible information about, for example, consumer trends and market opportunities. This course teaches you how to do just that, and can help you develop the skills you need to succeed in this exciting and in-demand field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Market Research Analyst

Systems Analyst

Systems Analysts design and implement computer systems. This course can help systems analysts learn how to find credible information about, for example, new technologies and best practices. This can help you stay up-to-date on the latest technologies and best practices.

See salaries and explore the career path for Systems Analyst

Computer Programmer

Computer programmers write and maintain code for software applications. This course can help computer programmers learn how to find credible information about, for example, new programming languages and frameworks. This can help you stay up-to-date on the latest technologies and best practices.

See salaries and explore the career path for Computer Programmer

Information Technology Manager

Information Technology Managers plan and implement information technology systems. This course can help information technology managers learn how to find credible information about, for example, new technologies and best practices. This can help you stay up-to-date on the latest technologies and best practices.

See salaries and explore the career path for Information Technology Manager

Network Administrator

Network administrators manage and maintain computer networks. This course can help network administrators learn how to find credible information about, for example, new networking technologies and best practices. This can help you stay up-to-date on the latest technologies and best practices.

See salaries and explore the career path for Network Administrator

Database Administrator

Database administrators manage and maintain databases. This course can help database administrators learn how to find credible information about, for example, new database technologies and best practices. This can help you stay up-to-date on the latest technologies and best practices.

See salaries and explore the career path for Database Administrator

Software Engineer

Software engineers design, develop, and maintain software applications. This course can help software engineers learn how to find credible information about, for example, new programming languages and frameworks. This can help you stay up-to-date on the latest technologies and best practices.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Engineer