Parts of A Search

Not all of us are great online searchers. Online searches can be overwhelming and you can find a lot of information you just don't need. The information in this section is to help you learn to be a better searcher so you can help others.

Using a search engine is one of the basic skills anyone should possess for digital literacy. For the sake of demonstration, this module will explore Google Search, one of the most popular search engines. If you've never realized what the parts of a Google Search are, here's a handy diagram that you can use with participants or refer to as needed for your own knowledge. I'll bet you didn't know the search engine box was called the Omnibox! The parts in this diagram are:

1. Omnibox. You enter search parameters in the Omnibox, but the Omnibox does more. It remembers your past searches to make searching faster and easier. It can also offer suggestions based on your search text. SENIORS DO NOT NEED TO KNOW IT'S CALLED THE OMNIBOX Use a term they can understand.
2. Natural results. This is the list of sites on the Internet your search engine suggests match your search terms. Natural search results are based solely on the content. Paid ads are usually indicated using a term like Sponsored. Paid ads usually appear at the top of a search. Teach others to scroll past the paid ads to get to the natural search results.
3. Knowledge graph. Google Search includes an area with a synopsis of information. It is especially helpful for factual questions you may ask.
4. Filters. Search engines search more than just text-based information. The Filters or Tabs at the top of the Google page allow you to specifically search news, images, videos, and more. You can also drill down into the Tools filter to narrow down your search based on parameters like the date information was published and licensing information.
5. Voice search. Many people talk to Siri or Alexa. You can do the same on many search engines. This can be especially helpful for people who might have trouble keyboarding.
6. Image search. You can drag or upload an image to see if it's from a website. This is a reverse search because you already have the image. Image searches can also find visually similar images.

Learn More about Searching

Want to know how search engines work? Check out this short video from Code.org that includes Google's Chief of Search and AI, John, and Akshaya, from Microsoft Bing.