Google search habits: Have yours changed?

I'm using "", + and - more and more since Florida. Coincidence?

[jimbeetle]

I do a lot of Internet-based research. For the past few months, my first engine of choice has been Teoma, however, I still go back to old G just in case I missed something.

Over the past couple of months I've noticed that I have to use G's advanced operators more and more in order to find what I want, so much so that it's now become habit.

There could be many different explanations for this, one being that I've finally, after many years, learned how to use a search engine. Or, the past couple of months puts my new search behaviour solidly at the time of Florida and the brouhaha that resulted.

As a searcher, have your Google search habits changed?

[Marcia]

As a searcher, I think everyone would do well to learn more about how to search - not just Joe Public. In fact, I wish we had a forum here at WebmasterWorld dedicated to just "how to use search engines."

[lowenherz]

I'm developing a new tutorial for undergrads, "Doing More with Google". [bu.edu...]

My approach is to try to get students excited about semantic tools (such as taking "helicopter flights" over Web content using visualization tools like Grokker2). [eweek.com...]

In effect, the paradigm is to help students drill for more precise search terms and then (and only then) use special Google syntax so they don't get overwhelmed by the 900-pound Gojira.

Any ideas about how to do semantic searching with Gojira- I mean, Google?

[rfgdxm1]

I've been using "" for ages on searches when it made sense. If others are, this is a Good Thing.

[tomda]

I have some links to google images or google web :
[keyword1] [keyword2] - DNS
so that it can ignore my DNS while doing the search.
I though this could help for better ranking.
Is it really useful?

Tommy

[jbgilbert]

JimBeetle.........
you said "one being that I've finally, after many years, learned how to use a search engine. Or, the past couple of months puts my new search behaviour solidly at the time of Florida and the brouhaha that resulted."

It's not your imagination - Google has made it harder to find specific infomation (due to Googles use of word stemming).

AND yes, my search habits have changed -- I use other engines a lot.

[lazurus]

Mine haven't really changed. I still use Google as before, that is the advanced search methods when/if I cannot find the ifo I want. When all is said and done I still find Google head and shoulders above the rest. They are the only site that *truly* deep crawls the web.

[seofreak]

i never use anything extra .. just imagine what words the page should have that you are looking for and put them together instead of a phrase.