Have you used Google? Go Google that!
It’s a company. It’s a noun. It’s a verb.
In 2015, Google was reported to be worth over 350 billion dollars.
Let’s embrace it and learn how to use it properly.
Google is very easy to use.
You simply type in your keywords – then the world opens up to you. You can use it’s other features simply by clicking: Advanced Search, Images, Maps, etc. To see more, check out their products: http://www.google.com/intl/en/about/products/.
So how do you use Google to your benefit?
- Just type.
- Remember the old adage just because it’s on tv, doesn’t mean it’s fact. Know that everything you see on the Internet, isn’t fact.
Use the rule of three. If you see three (appearingly reliable) sites state the same thing, you can proceed. It’s the theory of ‘fact until proven fiction’. - The more you use it, the easier it gets to look at a page, scroll through, and weed out ‘stuff’. Once you recognize reliable sites, look for those.
*Note: I’d recommend checking out your local library’s website before using Google. They typically have reliable sites already listed for you, like the White Oak Library District’s Research Page.
To learn more, Google: Google searching tips or check out this great article by Life Hack’s Joseph Hindy 20 Tips To Use Google Search Efficiently.
Google was a hot topic while I was in school for my masters degree. Some of my professors practically hissed at the name to the point I would refer to Google as the database that shall not be named. While other professors wanted to embrace it. I remember telling several professors I’d love to work for Google to share my insights – from someone who has been searching prior to computers and embraces them now.
One reason some of my professors and fellow librarians do not like Google as their go-to database or discourage people from using it is simple – you may not get a good answer. How do you know what is reliable in a world that allows anyone (ahem, for example, this blog) to just write anything they want? It can be an unreliable resource. Just like any good business – Google is in the business to make money. So the keyword returns are filled with advertisements and with anything that anyone puts out there in the virtual world. But if you learn how to filter out the stuff – it’s a great, easy-to-use tool.
~I’m here to help
Tina
ALSO: Do you want Google to find your website, blog, etc.? Google has an index, like any other database. Have Google notice your site by following their guidelines