- **Epistemic status:** #evergreen ![[Pasted image 20220511084249.png]] Illustration retrieved from [xkcd](https://xkcd.com/) Google-fu is a term derived from Kung-Fu for describing the ability to search information on [[Web Search Engines]], such as Google, using keywords. Often, by phrasing questions differently, it can give you drastically different results. In fields such as software development, where it mostly consists of researching for solutions, the skill comes in handy. One simple technique when searching for documentation and want a specific search to be on top, for example MDN, I will write `mdn js objects`. ![[Pasted image 20220511084657.png]] Meanwhile, when I don't include `mdn` on the search, I get different results with `W3C` on the top. ![[Pasted image 20220511084742.png]] The results will differ depending on the [[Web Search Engines]] you utilize, if they use machine learning to predict which URL's you will be more inclined to click, or if the top result is due to an ad. The following resources should help you understand the different search operators that popular [[Web Search Engines]] have at their disposal: - [Duck Duck Go: Search Syntax](https://help.duckduckgo.com/duckduckgo-help-pages/results/syntax/) - [Google: Refine Web Search](https://support.google.com/websearch/answer/2466433?hl=en) - [Google: Search Operators](https://developers.google.com/search/docs/advanced/debug/search-operators/overview) - [Bing: Advances Search Options](https://help.bing.microsoft.com/apex/index/18/en-US/10002) --- ## References - “Advanced Search Options.” Accessed May 11, 2022. <https://help.bing.microsoft.com/apex/index/18/en-US/10002>. - DuckDuckGo. “DuckDuckGo Search Syntax.” DuckDuckGo Help Pages. Accessed May 11, 2022. <https://help.duckduckgo.com/duckduckgo-help-pages/results/syntax/>. - HaL. “Answer to ‘What Does “Google-Fu” Mean?’” _English Language & Usage Stack Exchange_, April 7, 2011. <https://english.stackexchange.com/a/19973>. - Cyber Resilience Blog. “Improving Your Google-Fu: How To Find Anything You Want,” June 18, 2017. <https://www.backupassist.com/blog/improving-your-google-fu-how-to-find-anything-you-want>. - “Overview of Google Search Operators | Google Search Central  |  Documentation  |  Google Developers.” Accessed May 11, 2022. <https://developers.google.com/search/docs/advanced/debug/search-operators/overview>. - “Refine Web Searches - Google Search Help.” Accessed May 11, 2022. <https://support.google.com/websearch/answer/2466433?hl=en>.