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Database Searching: Using Boolean to Empower Your Search: Boolean + Web Searching

What it is and how it can help you turn your keyword terms into power searching!

Google Searching

Web Searching

Be very careful of the order in which you enter terms into your browser's search box.  The level of importance placed on each term in most internet search engines is based on where it is placed (first, second, last) in the search query.


Some search engines such as Google Scholar and Google Advanced Search allow traditional Boolean searching with dropdown menu options. 

Most search engines allow Boolean searching using manual addition of Boolean operators between terms, but once again be careful what order you enter the operators and terms.  Sometimes symbols (+ | -) are used instead of AND, OR, NOT to enforce Boolean searching.

Most general search boxes default to treating multiple search terms as using the AND function.  There are often options for phrase searching (such as enclosing a phrase in ""), and.  Once again, this varies by which search engine you are using (Google, Yahoo, Bing).

As with article databases,  look for a Help or Information menu to find out how that particular search engine interprets Boolean.