I love search engines. :€

[Jstpssng]

I need a pin for my post hole digger, 8 inches long, 3/4 inch diameter. Why is it so difficult to find anything when I punch that exact term in? Luckily I can buy the stock at TSC and make one, but wanted to compare prices first. Now I will get buko ads for various hardware for the next few months.

I'm going to show my age and say that I remember when search engines were actually useful.

 

[ponytug]

Which search engine are you using? (And what kind of pin do you really want?)

I typed in ' "3/4" pin 8 inch ', and got a bunch of hits.

https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/countyline-safety-lock-hitch-pin-6-in-usable-pin-length-s071032sp

I had a friend who was a truly gifted genius of a computer person who wanted to roll out a new company with a better search engine. The pitch presentation was hilarious; a series of completely dated photos of folks and scenes, ending with a tag line along the lines of "the '80s are calling; they want their search engine back". It was one of the most concise, effective presentations that I have ever seen.

SEO (search engine optimization) has really done a number on search. Malware sites and hackers certainly don't help, either.

I may be completely preaching to the choir, but here's what I do.

I would suggest searching in a web browser, not an app, and in "private" or "incognito" mode, and use a non-Google engine unless you get stuck, which definitely happens. Bing and others do not have the depth of coverage that Google does. Google has a very helpful set of tips;

Search on Google - Google Search Help

Here are a few tips and tricks to help you easily find info on Google. Tip 1: Start with the basics No matter what you look for, start with a simple search like where's the closest airpor

support.google.com

and especially advanced search operators;

Refine Google searches - Google Search Help

There are different ways to filter your Google searches to be more precise or to expand in new directions. Advanced search Google offers pages designed to help you perform specialized web and image

support.google.com

Do not forget to clear your history, cache, and cookies regularly as those will all affect your search results. Above all, do not be logged into FB, even in another tab or window or app while doing this.

May your Google-Fu "live long and prosper".
(Ok, that's dating me...)

All the best,

Peter

 

[Jstpssng]

Thanks. I'm using DDG.

 

[2manyrocks]

I think we should all periodically type complete nonsense into the search engines just to give their AI something to chew on.

 

[gstrom99]

DDG and CCleaner works for me, here.

 

[ponytug]

Thanks. I'm using DDG.

DDG is Bing behind the scenes, with request mixing so the search is less likely to get pinned on you.

Bing claims to index more content, but I have my doubts. I routinely come up with nothing on DDG for some queries, and if I repeat the exact same query on Google, not only do I get hits, I get the information that I want. I just try not to use Google more than I have to. Market share is purportedly 82% Google, 10% Bing, Yahoo is down around 2%, but that is not the same as indexed sites, or indexed content from the sites.

Always good to have more than one tool in the toolbox.

All the best,

Peter

 

[Oaktree]

Thanks. I'm using DDG.

I've tried "alternative" search engines, and keep coming back to Google. Even with all their shortcomings, they just seem to do a better job than anyone else. A good ad and tracking blocker should be a given these days. You don't say what kind of a computer you're doing your search on. A desktop is generally the best bet, "mobile devices" (man, I hate that term) regardless of OS seem to be designed to make tracking your every move in mind.

DDG is Bing behind the scenes, with request mixing so the search is less likely to get pinned on you.

Bing claims to index more content, but I have my doubts. I routinely come up with nothing on DDG for some queries, and if I repeat the exact same query on Google, not only do I get hits, I get the information that I want.

That's been my experience as well. One thing I like about Bing is it will let you open an online image and save it full size. This is of course assuming that it finds it...often a Google search will turn up what I'm looking for on the first page, no one else even finds it.

 

[Fixastuff]

Thanks. I'm using DDG.

No wonder.

 

[BackRoad]

For years, my wife was a proof reader for several court reporters. She was the one working behind the scenes to ensure correct spelling, punctuation and making sure the transcripts included all the ummms, ahhhhs, "like" and "you know what I mean?" based on the recorded deposition sound track.

As part of that responsibility, she used Google to search for specific medical terms and drugs mentioned in a deposition to ensure proper spelling for the final legal transcript.

Google must have dedicated an entire data center just to send her ads for all the medicines she searched for.

She's a walking, talking, bed ridden, paralyzed, bi-polar, diabetic, COPD affected individual with multiple heart attacks and extensive neurological issues taking 23 daily life sustaining heart and mind affecting medications - according to her Google ad profile!

 

[Alan W.]

I need a pin for my post hole digger, 8 inches long, 3/4 inch diameter. Why is it so difficult to find anything when I punch that exact term in? Luckily I can buy the stock at TSC and make one, but wanted to compare prices first. Now I will get buko ads for various hardware for the next few months.

I'm going to show my age and say that I remember when search engines were actually useful.

Search engines never think like we do. They are set up to make money. That is their goal. Finding what you need is secondary to them. That being said I use DDG myself, as for the pin I used a hitch pin on mine when the old one wore out.