Use more specific terms instead of general or ambiguous terms, e.g. instead of just dogs use Irish setter pets if you look for information on the Irish setter dog breed as a pet.
Consider synonyms and related terms, e.g. Sea = Ocean, Marine.
Where possible supplement your concept with qualifying terms to narrow your search, e.g. don't use the term 'modelling' only (is it about sculpture, fashion, psychology, or, mathematics)?; be specific - use modelling architecture 3d computer.
If you are not sure about the meaning/interpretation of a term or phrase you could use Google to look it up with the define funtion, i.e. define:satire. (Note that there is no space between the colon and the term.)
Use words you can expect to appear on the page - what words would an author use to write about the topic. Example: Xenotransplantation vs Human Animal organ transplantation.
Check your spelling! Though Google gives suggestions for mispelt words, it wouldn't work in cases such as whales vs wales.
Use phrases where appropriate:
- Names - "John Williams" Tip: for biographical information add term 'biography'
- Song and book titles
Google gives some guidelines on their basic search help page
Google gives further tips in their More search help page
Print out the Google Help Cheat Sheet that lists the most helpful tips.
