Using Boolean and Other Logic
(Note: logical operators typically have to be in all caps). AND: Insert between words (Dogs AND Cats) to search for both terms. OR: Insert between words (Dogs OR Cats) to search for either terms. NOT: Insert between words (Dogs NOT Cats) to exclude terms. * (Wildcard): Replace parts of words as prefix or suffix. "Commnui*" to search for suffix (e.g., "Commnui*" will return hits for "community, communication, communicative,"; "*pound" suffix to find "impound, compound, dog-pound," etc. More typically, if you do not remember a name completely you might search for (*spinner) with other key words to find PageSpinner. "Phrase" Searches: Insert quotation marks around names, etc. ("Ivy Ledbetter Lee") to search for the terms as exact phrases not separate words. +/: In many search engines +/ are interchangeable with AND/NOT. Syntax: insert a space before the symbol, no space before the word (e.g., Dogs +Cats Garfield). |
Recommended Meta Search Engines
Search Engine | Boolean Logic | Phrase | Truncation | Case Sensitive | Nested | Other |
Automatic AND; no OR; for NOT use ‚ | Yes "..." | No | No | No | "I'm Feeling Lucky" and "Cached" features | |
IxQuick | AND (or +), NOT (or ‚), AND NOT, ANDNOT | Yes "..." | Wildcards: use "*term" or "term*" | Supports case sensitive searching | Yes (terms) | Opens links in new windows |
Mamma | Automatic AND; use +/‚ for AND/NOT | Yes "..." | No | No | No | Customizable and may search in phrase mode |
AltaVista | AND (&), OR (|), AND NOT (!) | Yes "..." | No | Yes | Yes (terms) | Customizable; may specify language and/or dates to search |
Yahoo | use + for AND; ‚ for NOT; t: (title); u: (URL) | Yes "..." | Wildcards: use "*term" or "term*" | No | No | Customizable; may specify Usenet, dates, etc. |
Boolean Logic refers to the use of AND, OR, NOT, etc. to limit searches.
Phrase Searches instruct the search engines to search for the exact words enclosed in the quote marks.
Truncation instructs search engines to search for prefixes or suffixes.
Nested Searches allow for more complex searches.
Send E-Mail to: Michael L. Kent
© 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2019, Michael L. Kent
Last updated: Wednesday, February 20, 2019