From Wendy Boswell,
Your Guide to Web Search.
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There are a few basic principles that you can successfully use in nearly all the search engines out there to find exactly what it is that you are looking for, and one of the most basic techniques is using the add and subtract symbols in your Web search string.

Basic Math Can Help With Your Web Search

Basic math can really help you in your Web search quest. Here's how it works:

• The minus symbol:

Use the "-" symbol when you want a search engine to find pages that have one search word on them, but you need the search engine to exclude other words commonly associated with that search word. For example:

• Superman -Krypton

You are telling the search engines that you would like to find pages that only have the words "Superman", but exclude the listings that include information about "Krypton". This is a fast and easy way to eliminate extra information and narrow your search down; plus you can do a string of excluded words, like this: superman -krypton -"lex luthor".

• The plus symbol:

Now that you know how to eliminate search terms, here's how you can add them in, using the "+" symbol. For example, if you have terms that must be returned in all your search results, you can place the plus symbol in front of the terms that you need included, such as:

• football+nfl

Your search results would now have both these terms included.

Search Engine Math - Just Part of a Web Search Strategy

Using the plus and minus symbols is just a small part of a successful Web search strategy. Be as specific as humanly possible. Search engines are not intuitive and will not be able to figure out that when you type in "jewelry", you actually are looking for "handmade freshwater pearl watches". Don't be timid about telling a search engine specifically what it is that you are looking for, and using different techniques (in different ways) to get better results.