Top Tools to Make You a Search Guru

Most us find ourselves using the convenience of the quick internet search every day, whether that’s for instructions on how to get the coffee stain out of the carpet or what to do if your dog ate a bar of soap. But if you find yourself thinking “just google it” it may be time to expand your horizons beyond that ubiquitous search engine to become a true search guru.
 
Not all searches are created equal, and neither are all search engines. Rather than relying on your preferred search engine as a one-stop-shop for all online queries, use this list of the best search tools to level up your search skills, whether your goal is more privacy, improved market research, or a more streamlined experience. 

Privacy

Have you ever done a quick search for something, let’s say for example a toaster, and then found your social media bombarded with advertisements for toasters? That’s no coincidence - many search engines track your search results.
 
So in an era that finds internet privacy increasingly difficult to come by, what is there to do? If you’re a die-hard fan of Google, open an incognito or private browser before you begin your search, or use Ctrl + Shift + N after opening Google.
 
On the other hand, if you’re ready to get serious about protecting your privacy online, consider trying a private search tool, like DuckDuckGo or StartPage instead.
 
DuckDuckGo, “The Search Engine that Vows Not to Track You” is likely the most popular and well-known of the privacy search engines. The company does not track or collect your data, meaning that your search results are not personalized. That isn’t the case with other search engines that use your past searches and social media activity to curate a set of results they think will interest you.
 
StartPage is a similarly designed, marketing itself as “the world’s most private search engine”. Like DuckDuckGo, it does not log or collect data. An additional layer of protection - StartPage is based in the Netherlands, which has famously stringent privacy laws.
 
Both of these sites emphasize user privacy as a primary feature of their service. For anyone looking to keep their identity and information private, these two search engines will get the job done, and done well. 

Advanced Search

Search engine queries can often turn up millions, even billions of results which, as you may have guessed, is a TON of information. Narrowing your search by using advanced search tools helps you sift through this excess of information to find precisely what you’re looking for.
 
If you’re using Google, this is as simple as using a Google Advanced Search instead. This option is also available on the privacy search engines mentioned above, as well as on social media sites like Facebook and LinkedIn. Take advantage of advanced search options to focus your query so you spend less time searching and get the information you need efficiently. 

Photo Searches 

It’s 2019 and we are all familiar with Google images, so let’s look at some sites that fly under the radar but are high-quality image search tools.
 
PicSearch is an image search engine with over 3 billion pictures in its database. With its simple design and layout, it’s easy to use and also offers an advanced search option to narrow your search.
 
You can also find photos on image search sites, which host images, rather than searching through the depths of the internet for them. Flickr is one of the most well-known image hosting sites and is a great resource for finding free stock photos. It also recently debuted a reverse image search that allows you to search using an image to find out more information. (More on reverse searches in the next section!)
 
Getty Images, which is the self-proclaimed “World’s Best Search Engine for Stock Pictures, Photos, and Images”, is an extensive database also popular for stock images. 

Reverse Searches

As mentioned in the previous section, reverse images can be used for photos as well as to obtain other information.
 
Besides Flickr and of course Google, TinEye is one of the best options available to reverse search photos and other images. Whether you’re looking for a higher quality version of a photograph or curious whether someone is using your photo without permission (commonly known as catfishing), a reverse image search can get you the information you’re looking for. TinEye was the first website to use image identification technology and is arguably the top reverse image search engine available today.
 
Reverse searches can also be used to weed out important information. Whether you are looking for the origin of an out-of-state number that keeps calling you or want to verify someone’s address, sites like Nuwber offer a reverse search option for these types of queries. These sites can also provide other information, such as contact details and background information. 

Social Search 

Social media search engines probe user-generated content on social media, so think posts, images, and the like on sites like Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and more. This type of search provides valuable insights into what people are saying, and by extension, feeling, about a company, brand, or product.
 
Within your circle of friends and family, the Google Social Searcher can help you find out what your acquaintances are saying about a certain organization or product.
 
For businesses, Social Searcher can monitor and track mentions of your company, product, or service on social media and around the web. It also gives audience analysis and insight to improve your performance over time.
 
Another social-specific search engine, BuzzSumo is a popular resource for brands and businesses looking to find content that generates buzz and discover influencers to collaborate with. 

 In Conclusion

​With the wealth of information available online today, searching is not quite as simple as popping your search term into Google. Use the best search tools to fit your needs and, with technology constantly changing and evolving, stay on top of the latest trends.