Advanced Internet Research Techniques
How to Discover Online Information Faster, Smarter and More
Efficiently on Any Subject
Legal Disclaimer
This handout and presentation are for general guidance on matters of interest only.
While every attempt has been made to ensure that the information provided has been
obtained from reliable sources, the presenter and sponsors are not responsible for any
errors or omissions, or for the results obtained from the use of this information. All
information in this handout and presentation is provided "as is", with no guarantee of
completeness, accuracy, timeliness or of the results obtained from the use of this
information, and without warranty of any kind, express or implied, including, but not
limited to warranties of performance, merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose.
The handout is distributed with the understanding that the contributing author and editor,
and the publisher, are not rendering consulting, legal, accounting, or other professional
services in this publication. If advice or other expert assistance is required, the services
of a competent professional should be sought. Due to the fluid nature of the Internet,
website addresses and other related information may change without notice.
2
When you search the
Internet, do you type
a word or two into
Google.com and hope
for the best?
Do you search only
in one language
(typically English or
French)?
Do you search only
by typing on desktop
(as opposed to by
voice, images and bar
codes on cell phone)?
If you answered yes
to one or more
questions, you are
…
Google
Zombie
You’re
…
Google Zombie
• Tapping only tiny
fraction of Google.
• Missing 99% of
Internet.
• Underperforming
and underachieving
online.
Seminar Objectives
– Instantly and exponentially improve your
online search power … at zero cost.
– Cut online frustrations and save time.
– Communicate online in 50+ languages.
– Leverage Google not just as search tool
but as “backup brain” and robot advisor.
– Transform yourself from Google Zombie to
“Google Hero” – and be more productive,
efficient and confident on web.
Agenda
– Why Care About Web Search?
– Google is Great … But Not Perfect
– Google Power-Search Tools
– Searching on the Fly
– Hidden Google Treasures
– Google Yoga
– Google is Not Enough
– Key Takeaways
All tools in this presentation are …
– Please note: I don’t
work for Google.
– I’m an independent,
impartial, objective
management
consultant.
– “I don’t take sides, I
take notes.”
Why Care?
Why Care?
– Google and search engines the most important
channel to inform decision-making.
– Half of knowledge worker’s time wasted.
– “Search rage” epidemic.
– Instant information and gratification the norm.
– Rising expectation to be plugged in at all times.
– Human intellect shifting from retaining knowledge
to discovering knowledge.
– Mobile discovery is not the future -- it’s NOW!
• People online all day, everyday using web for
practically every decision yet no receive no
online search training..
• Exploding information.
• Rising spam and “noise.”
• Search options growing and changing.
• Unsuccessfully searching.
• Recreating content that already exists.
• Converting formats.
Google is Great
… But Not Perfect
Google is Great …But Not Perfect
I absolutely LOVE Google, but did you know …
– Limited coverage -- Google indexes 1-5% of
online information … at most. That means Google
misses 95-99% of web.
– Google results list what’s most popular – not most
credible or important.
– Google results not always accurate.
– SEO experts routinely “game” Google.
– All your searches recorded and may be used
against you by law enforcement.
Google PowerSearch Tools
Chrome Browser ➤ http://www.google.com/chrome/
• Google Chrome browser.
• Fast start-up, loading and
search.
• Streamlined, clean and
simple design.
• Individual tabs work
separately, and if one
crashes, the other tabs
aren't affected.
Chrome Browser ➤ http://www.google.com/chrome/
• Only browser with desktop voice search (so far).
RSS Extension ➤ http://bit.ly/googlechromerss
• Auto-detects RSS feeds on the page you’re reading .
• If available, displays RSS icon in address bar.
• Click on RSS icon to preview feed content and subscribe.
Google Accounts ➤ https://www.google.com/accounts/
/
• Sign-in system that gives
you access to Google
products.
• View and manage data
associated with each
product.
• Control personal privacy
settings.
• Multiple sign-in feature
allows you to use multiple
Google accounts
simultaneously.
Google Profiles ➤ http://www.google.com/profiles
/
• Personal profile which
lists your background,
occupation, employment,
education, places lived,
relationships and photos.
• Share as little or as much
as you want.
• Key to managing your
Google “footprint” and
what others see when
they Google you.
• Link to Facebook, Twitter,
LinkedIn and YouTube
accounts, blogs, and
custom links.
Google Dashboard ➤ http://www.google.com/dashboard
• Offers transparency and
control over Google
products.
• Summarizes data
associated with each
product you use when
signed in to your account
• Provides links to control
your personal settings.
iGoogle ➤ http://www.google.com/igoogle
• Customizable Internet start-page and personal web portal.
• Hundreds of gadgets link to activities and information from all
across the web.
Google Instant ➤ http://www.google.com/
• Search results as you
type.
• Predictive discovery –
Google is reading your
mind (or trying to).
• Shows you what others
search for most often for
that term.
Google Search Features ➤ http://www.google.com/help/features.html
Google Sidebar ➤ http://www.google.com/
• Hiding in plain sight.
• Door to 10x more
information.
• “Slice and dice” search
results by different
content categories
(images, videos, news,
shopping, blogs, time)
and more.
Google Country Engines ➤ http://www.google.com/language_tools
• 180+ country search engines
• Each has different “flavour” -- unique algorithm and different
geographic focus.
Google.com vs. Google.ca
• Each country search engine produces completely different results for
same keywords.
Google Language Tools ➤ http://www.google.com/language_tools
• Finds results in 50+
languages which are
automatically translated.
• Translates text you write
(and “reads” it out loud).
• Translates web pages.
• Links to Google country
search engines.
The best searchers don’t search – they get the
information to come to them.
Google Alerts ➤ http://www.google.com/alerts
http://translate.google.com/translate_tools
• Automated continuousmonitoring search robot.
• Scans web 24/7 on topics
you choose and alerts
when new results appear.
• Tracks “unknown
unknowns” in your
business landscape.
• Only looks forward at new
information. (doesn’t look
in past).
• Leverage for reputation
management, lead
generation, client
tracking, competition
monitoring.
Google Reader ➤ http://www.google.com/reader
http://translate.google.com/translate_tools
• Web research dashboard
and RSS feed reader.
• Aggregates latest
updates from sites you
choose in one place.
• Automatically translates
updates from other
languages into your
native language.
• Leverage to track news,
websites, blogs,
Facebook fan pages,
Twitter, YouTube,
Craigslist and more.
Searching
On the Fly
Google Mobile ➤ http://www.google.com/mobile/
• Enables you to search from
your portable device.
• Search using voice.
• Location-based searching.
• Search results ranked
differently and factor in location
to a much high degree than
“regular” Google search results
(many prefer Google mobile
results to regular results).
• Mobile searches spike during
lunch, evenings, and weekends
-- when users are away from
their PCs.
Google Goggles ➤ http://www.google.com/mobile/goggles/
• Uses pictures from your cell
phone to search web.
• Search landmarks, book
covers, artwork, logos.
• Translate text from a foreign
language.
• “Read” menus and signs
written in another language.
Google Maps for Mobile ➤ http://www.google.com/mobile/maps/
Google Shopper ➤ http://www.google.com/mobile/shopper/
Google Places ➤ http://www.google.com/mobile/places/
Google MyTracks ➤ http://mytracks.appspot.com/
Google Translate App for iPhone/Android ➤ http://bit.ly/googletranslateappforphones
http://translate.google.com/translate_tools
• Translate written words
and phrases between
more than 50 languages
on your mobile device.
• Accepts voice input for 15
languages.
• Listen to languages
spoken out loud in one of
23 different languages.
• Communicate and
converse with others in
real-time in their own
language (without
knowing how to speak it).
Google Open Spot ➤ http://openspot.googlelabs.com/
Google Hidden
Treasures
WDYL ➤ http://www.wdyl.com/
• What Do You Love
• Demonstrates how
different Google products
can show you different
things about any
particular search query.
Google Insights for Search ➤ http://www.google.com/insights/search/
http://translate.google.com/translate_tools
• Compares search volume
patterns across specific
regions, categories, time
frames and properties.
• Tracks what people are
thinking and their
intentions.
• Updated daily.
Global Market Finder ➤ http://translate.google.com/globalmarketfinder/
http://translate.google.com/translate_tools
• Identify potential
customers around the
world.
• See where customers are
searching for your
product or service.
• Identify local monthly
searches for your
products.
• View “heat map” of
leading markets.
• Translates keywords into
the language of
international customers.
Google Secure Search ➤ https://encrypted.google.com/
Google Images ➤ http://images.google.com/
Google Panaramio ➤ http://www.panoramio.com/
Google Maps ➤ http://maps.google.com/
Google Earth ➤ http://www.google.com/earth
Who’s Using
Google Earth
Task
City building
inspectors
Spot building code
violations
Accountants
Audit infrastructure
conditions and
improvements
Landscapers
Check condition of
lawns and gardens
Trades and
roofers
Inspect state of
roofs, driveways,
windows
Security
companies
Review security
Google Hotel Finder ➤ http://www.google.com/hotelfinder/
Google Street View ➤ http://maps.google.ca/help/maps/streetview/
Google Art Project ➤ http://www.googleartproject.com/
Google Offers ➤ http://www.google.com/offers
Google News ➤ http://news.google.com/
Google News Editions ➤ http://news.google.com/
Google Fast Flip ➤ http://fastflip.googlelabs.com/
Google Product Search ➤ http://www.google.com/prdhp
Boutiques ➤ http://blink.boutiques.com/
Google Books ➤ http://books.google.com/
Google eBooks ➤ http://books.google.com/ebooks
Google Blog Search ➤ http://www.google.com/blogsearch
Google Scholar ➤ http://scholar.google.com/
Google Finance ➤ http://www.google.com/finance
Google Desktop ➤ http://desktop.google.com/
YouTube ➤ http://www.youtube.com
Google + ➤ https://plus.google.com/
/
• Google’s new social
network.
• Combines best elements
of Facebook and Twitter.
• Group contacts into
“Circles.”
• “Hangouts” offer realtime video chat for up to
10 friends.
• “Streams” show updates
from contacts in Circles.
• “Sparks” is online
discovery tool.
• “+1” button allows you to
recommend items.
Google Blog Directory ➤ http://www.google.com/intl/en/press/blog-directory.html
Google Twitter Directory ➤
http://www.google.com/intl/en/press/twitter-directory.html
Google YouTube Channel ➤ http://www.youtube.com/user/Google
Google on Facebook ➤ http://www.facebook.com/Google
Google New ➤ http://www.google.com/newproducts/
Google Yoga
Google Advanced Search ➤ http://www.google.com/advanced_search
Google Phrase Searching ➤
“”
• Use double quotes to search for a specific phrase.
• Instantly improves relevancy of results.
Google Filetype Searching ➤
filetype:pdf
filetype:doc
filetype:xls
filetype:ppt
• Use filetype: to search for specific types of digital files.
• Allows you to zero in on specific content types.
Google Domain Searching ➤
site:com
site:gc.ca
site:www.cra-arc.gc.ca
• Use site: to restrict search to a specific domain, subdomain or
even individual website.
• Uncovers “buried” information you would never otherwise find.
Google Web History ➤ http://www.google.com/history
• Searchable archive of
your past Google search
queries and results.
• “Instant replay” system
allows you to gain new
insight into your search
performance.
• Audit search properties
and keywords used and
determine which were
most effective (or not).
Google is
Not Enough
TradePub ➤ http://www.tradepub.com/
SmartBrief ➤ http://www.smartbrief.com/
NYPL Express ➤ http://www.nypl.org/ask-nypl/research-questions-reproductions
Ask Sunday ➤ http://www.asksunday.com/
Bing ➤ http://www.bing.com/
Search Systems ➤ http://publicrecords.searchsystems.net/
eLance ➤ http://www.elance.com/
Date Check ➤ http://www.intelius.com/mobile
SlideShare ➤ http://www.slideshare.net/
Craigslist ➤ http://www.craigslist.org/
CA Research Plus ➤ www.caresearchplus.com
Key
Takeaways
Hero
Google
Zombie
Google
Type a word or two into Google and hope for
the best (ad hoc information chasing)
Get information to come to you 24/7:
Google Alerts, Reader, TradePub, Smartbrief
Search only using text on desktop
Search using text, voice, images, bar codes:
Google Mobile, Goggles, Shopper, Places
Search web only in native language
Search in 50+ languages: Google Translate
Stuck in “Google.com only” rut and barely
scratch surface of Google
Leverage entire Google search eco-system:
Google Maps, Images, Product, Finance +
Use elementary search strings
Search by phrase, filetype, domain
Look at world w/ “Google coloured glasses”
Look beyond Google: Bing, SearchSystems
Your
Challenge
– Take your web research to next level.
– Leverage tools to be more efficient and
productive in your online discovery.
– Gather more & better info in less time.
– Use Google as your backup brain.
Advanced Internet
Research Techniques
Like this
presentation?
– In-person and webinar versions available.
– Lunch & learn, half-day, full-day options.
– Contact Garrett Wasny, MA, CMC, CITP
E-mail: gw@garrettwasny.com
Tel: 778.898.9059
Web: http://www.garrettwasny.com
Recap
– Why Care About Web Search?
– Google is Great … But Not Perfect
– Google Power-Search Tools
– Searching on the Fly
– Hidden Google Treasures
– Google Yoga
– Google is Not Enough
– Key Takeaways
Final Words
One trend is clear – a growing cult-like faith in information. A belief that if
we hook up to the Internet, we'll be smart. Full of facts. Brilliant with
information.
As we hear these promises, we must balance faith in technology with
faith in ourselves.
Wisdom and insight often come not from compiling facts, but from simple
quiet reflection.
What we hold most valuable -- vision, leadership, integrity, morals -- can
be found only within us.
While embracing the future, we can -- we must -- remain loyal to our
unchanging humanity.
Ultimately, opening our hearts and following our dreams are truly our
best advanced Internet research strategies
National Geographic