[Web4lib] Why use the plus symbol before search terms when go ogling?

[Scritchfield, Larry]

The plus sign forces the search engine to search on stop words, no?

http://www.google.com/help/refinesearch.html

"Google ignores common words and characters such as where, the, how, and
other digits and letters which slow down your search without improving the
results. We'll indicate if a word has been excluded by displaying details on
the results page below the search box.

"If a common word is essential to getting the results you want, you can
include it by putting a "+" sign in front of it. (Be sure to include a space
before the "+" sign.)

"For example, here's how to ensure that Google includes the "I" in a search
for Star Wars, Episode I: Star Wars Episode +I"

Larry Scritchfield                       lscritch at mail.co.washoe.nv.us
Internet Services Librarian                             (775) 327-8349
Washoe County Library System                      www.washoe.lib.nv.us

-----Original Message-----
From: web4lib-bounces at webjunction.org
[mailto:web4lib-bounces at webjunction.org]On Behalf Of John Fitzgibbon
Sent: Wednesday, September 07, 2005 2:19 AM
To: web4lib at webjunction.org
Subject: [Web4lib] Why use the plus symbol before search terms when
googling?


Hi,

Why use the plus symbol before search terms when googling? Google
automatically puts a Boolean And between search terms. Shouldn't this
render the + symbol unnecessary? Is it best to search without the + or
should I enter it anyway?

Just wondering.

John Fitzgibbon

Galway Public Library
Island House
Cathedral Square
Galway
Ireland

p: 00 353 91 562471
f: 00 353 91 565039
w: http://www.galwaylibrary.ie 

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