Things Schools Should Actually Teach | How to Use a Search Engine Properly | Stop Clicking the First Link!
Most people don’t know how to really search the internet. They type a phrase into Google, click the first link, and call it a day. But that’s not how you find the best information. In this guide, we’ll break down how to use a search engine properly, how they work, how to search smarter, and why you should use more than just Google. Yes, that includes privacy-focused options like Tor and DuckDuckGo.
Not All Search Engines Are the Same
Different search engines rank and display results differently, so using more than one can help you get a broader perspective. Here’s a breakdown of popular search engines and their pros and cons.
Discover more in our article, How to Navigate a Website.
Search Engine Strengths Weaknesses
- Baidu: Dominates in China, fast results Heavy censorship, not useful outside China
- Bing: Rewards program, decent image search, less censorship than Google Still tracks users, fewer results than Google
- Brave: Search Private, independent index, no tracking Still growing, smaller database
- DuckDuckGo: Privacy-focused, no tracking, avoids filter bubbles Fewer search refinements, sometimes less relevant results
- Ecosia: Plants trees with ad revenue, decent privacy Limited search depth
- Google: Largest index of websites, AI-driven results, best for general searches Highly filtered, tracks user data, ads dominate results
- Startpage: Uses Google results but removes tracking Dependent on Google’s indexing
- Yahoo: Good for news and finance searches Results often outdated, ad-heavy
- Yandex: Strong in Russia, good for images Privacy concerns, state influence
Deep Web & Privacy-Oriented Search Engines
If you want more privacy, less filtering, or access to hidden content, try these options:
- Tor Search Engines: Access sites that don’t appear on standard search engines (requires the Tor browser). Example: DuckDuckGo on Tor or Onion Search Engine
- Ahmia.fi: Indexes Tor-based hidden services (useful for researching anonymity-focused sites).
- Metasearch Engines: Combine results from multiple search engines for better depth (e.g., SearX).
Pro Tip: If you’re researching controversial or sensitive topics, using multiple search engines prevents reliance on one company’s filtering.
Learn more in our article, The Truth About Online Anonymity | Are You Ever Really Invisible?
Advanced Search Techniques | How to Find Exactly What You Need
Most people don’t realize there are some simple tricks to find what you are looking for. We cover some of these in the section below.
Search Operators (Google, Bing, DuckDuckGo, Etc.)
These special commands help you narrow down results:
- Exact phrase search: Use quotes: “best cybersecurity practices” (Finds exact matches.)
- Exclude words: Use -: best headphones -Apple (Removes Apple results.)
- Search a specific website: Use site: quantum computing site:nist.gov (Only shows results from nist.gov.)
- Find related sites: Use related: related:nytimes.com (Finds sites similar to NYTimes.)
- Find files (PDFs, Docs, etc.): Use filetype: cybersecurity guide filetype:pdf (Finds PDF documents.)
- Find old pages: Use cache: cache:example.com (Shows a site’s last saved version.)
- Boolean Search (For Deeper Research): If you’re looking for academic research or legal info, Boolean searches work on many databases:
- AND: Finds results with BOTH words (e.g., cybersecurity AND risk management).
- OR: Finds results with EITHER word (e.g., hacking OR penetration testing).
- NOT: Excludes a term (e.g., privacy NOT Facebook).
Pro Tip: These work best on Google Scholar, academic databases, and legal search engines like LexisNexis.
How Search Engines Filter & Manipulate Results
Algorithmic Filtering
Search engines don’t just show you the “best” results. Instead, they show you what they think you want to see. Factors that influence results:
- Your location: Google prioritizes local results.
- Your past searches: personalized filtering.
- The popularity of a page: more clicks = higher ranking.
- Paid ads: sponsored results appear first.
Why Algorithmic Filtering Creates a Problem:
If search engines filter results based on your past behavior, you may get stuck in an “echo chamber,” seeing the same viewpoints repeatedly.
Solution: Use incognito mode, VPNs, and multiple search engines to avoid biased results.
Discover more in our article, How Algorithmic Mislabeling Hides Helpful Content and What We Can Do About It.
Special Search Engines for Research & Privacy
Want deeper knowledge, academic research, or uncensored results? Try these:
- Purpose Search
- Academic Papers Google Scholar, PubMed, arXiv
- Government Info USA.gov, Regulations.gov
- Legal Research LexisNexis, Justia
- Uncensored News AllSides, The Intercept
- Tor-Based (Dark Web) Ahmia.fi, DuckDuckGo on Tor
Pro Tip: If you’re researching a topic with censorship concerns, cross-check results from different sources.
Take Control of Your Search Habits
Most people blindly trust search engines, but knowing how to manipulate them back puts you in control.
- Use multiple search engines (Google + DuckDuckGo + SearX).
- Master search operators to refine results.
- Be aware of algorithmic filtering and use privacy tools.
- Go beyond Google. Use databases, Tor, and metasearch engines.
The internet is deeper than you think. Start searching like an expert today.
Glossary
Algorithm: A formula that search engines use to rank and display results.
Boolean Search: A method using AND, OR, and NOT to refine searches.
Cache: A stored version of a webpage that may no longer be live.
Echo Chamber: When search engines or social media reinforce your existing beliefs by filtering content.
Incognito Mode: A private browsing mode that doesn’t save cookies or history.
Metasearch Engine: A search tool that pulls results from multiple search engines (e.g., SearX).
Tor: A browser that enables anonymous web browsing, often used to access hidden services.
Unlock the Secrets of the Digital World with Our Engaging Articles and Posts
Dive into our lively collection of articles designed to boost your digital savvy and cybersecurity know-how. From demystifying the differences between websites and platforms to mastering online privacy, our series offers practical insights to help you navigate the internet like a pro.
- Hunter Storm Official Site
- How Algorithmic Mislabeling Hides Helpful Content and What We Can Do About It (Part 1 | Yandex)
- How Algorithmic Mislabeling Hides Helpful Content and What We Can Do About It (Part 2 | Google)
- How Early Cybersecurity and PsyOps Pioneers Crossed Paths Without Knowing It
- My Experience with Road Guardians Motorcycle Safety Training
- Online Reputation Protection | The Ultimate Guide
- The Dark Side of Free Services | What You’re Actually Paying With
- The Internet Isn’t Just Social Media
- Things Schools Should Actually Teach | The Ultimate Internet Survival Guide
- What Is AI? | How AI Works
About the Author | Hunter Storm | Technology Executive | Global Thought Leader | Keynote Speaker
CISO | Advisory Board Member | SOC Black Ops Team | Systems Architect | Strategic Policy Advisor | Artificial Intelligence (AI), Cybersecurity, Quantum Innovator | Cyber-Physical-Psychological Hybrid Threat Expert | Ultimate Asymmetric Advantage
Background
Hunter Storm is a veteran Fortune 100 Chief Information Security Officer (CISO); Advisory Board Member; Security Operations Center (SOC) Black Ops Team Member; Systems Architect; Risk Assessor; Strategic Policy and Intelligence Advisor; Artificial Intelligence (AI), Cybersecurity, Quantum Innovator, and Cyber-Physical-Psychological (Cyber-Phys-Psy) Hybrid Threat Expert; and Keynote Speaker with deep expertise in AI, cybersecurity, and quantum technologies.
Drawing on decades of experience in global Fortune 100 enterprises, including Wells Fargo, Charles Schwab, and American Express; aerospace and high-tech manufacturing leaders such as Alcoa and Special Devices (SDI) / Daicel Safety Systems (DSS); and leading technology services firms such as CompuCom, she guides organizations through complex technical, strategic, and operational challenges.
Hunter Storm combines technical mastery with real-world operational resilience in high-stakes environments. She builds and protects systems that often align with defense priorities, but serve critical industries and public infrastructure. She combines first-hand; hands-on; real-world cross-domain expertise in risk assessment, security, and ethical governance; and field-tested theoretical research with a proven track record in high-stakes environments that demand both technical acumen and strategic foresight.
Global Expert and Subject Matter Expert (SME) | AI, Cybersecurity, Quantum, and Strategic Intelligence
A recognized subject matter expert (SME) with top-tier expert networks including GLG (Top 1%), AlphaSights, and Third Bridge, Hunter Storm advises Board Members, CEOs, CTOs, CISOs, Founders, and Senior Executives across technology, finance, and consulting sectors. Her insights have shaped policy, strategy, and high-risk decision-making at the intersection of AI, cybersecurity, quantum technology, and human-technical threat surfaces.
Projects | Research and Development (R&D) | Frameworks
Hunter Storm is the creator of The Storm Project: AI, Cybersecurity, Quantum, and the Future of Intelligence, the largest AI research initiative in history.
She is the originator of the Hacking Humans: Ports and Services Model of Social Engineering, a foundational framework in psychological operations (PsyOps) and biohacking, adopted by governments, enterprises, and global security communities.
Hunter Storm also pioneered the first global forensic mapping of digital repression architecture, suppression, and censorship through her project Discrimination by Design: First Global Forensic Mapping of Digital Repression Architecture, monitoring platform accountability and digital suppression worldwide.
Achievements and Awards
Hunter Storm is a Mensa member and recipient of the Who’s Who Lifetime Achievement Award, reflecting her enduring influence on AI, cybersecurity, quantum, technology, strategy, and global security.
Hunter Storm | The Ultimate Asymmetric Advantage
Hunter Storm is known for solving problems most won’t touch. She combines technical mastery, operational agility, and strategic foresight to protect critical assets and shape the future at the intersection of technology, strategy, and high-risk decision-making.
Hunter Storm reframes human-technical threat surfaces to expose vulnerabilities others miss, delivering the ultimate asymmetric advantage.
Discover Hunter Storm’s full About the Author biography and career highlights.
Securing the Future | AI, Cybersecurity, Quantum computing, innovation, risk management, hybrid threats, security. Hunter Storm (“The Fourth Option”) is here. Let’s get to work.
Confidential Contact
Contact Hunter Storm for: Consultations, engagements, board memberships, leadership roles, policy advisory, legal strategy, expert witness, or unconventional problems that require highly unconventional solutions.