Should I Search Google or Type a URL?

Did you know that over 5.6 billion searches are made on Google every day? With so many people relying on Google to find information, it’s important to understand the best ways to navigate the internet. At Heytony, we understand that navigating the vast world of the internet can be confusing, especially if you’re new to it. Before diving into more complex concepts like search engine optimization or web conversion optimization, it’s important to understand the basics.

One common question beginners often have is whether they should search Google or type a URL directly into their browser. We’ll break down the different methods, provide examples of when to use each one, and introduce you to some other handy tools Google offers for finding exactly what you need. Whether you’re new to using the internet or just looking to improve your browsing skills, this guide will help you become more efficient and confident online. 

How Does Google Search Work?

Google Search is a powerful tool that helps you find information on the internet. It works by using complex algorithms to scan billions of web pages and provide you with the most relevant results based on your search query.

Which is Better? To Search Google or Type a URL?

The choice between searching Google or typing a URL depends on what you’re trying to do:

• Search Google: Use this when you don’t know the exact address of the website you’re looking for or when you’re looking for information on a topic. For example, if you want to find different cake recipes, searching Google for “cake recipes” will give you a variety of options.
• Type a URL: Use this when you know the exact address of the website you want to visit. Typing the URL takes you directly to the site, saving you time.

How to Search on Google

Step-by-Step Guide

1. Open Your Web Browser
   • First, you need to open your web browser. This could be a program like Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge. Look for the browser icon on your computer and click on it.
2. Go to Google’s Website
   • Once your browser is open, you need to go to Google’s website. You do this by typing “www.google.com” into the address bar at the top of the browser window and then pressing the Enter key on your keyboard. This will take you to Google’s homepage.
3. Find the Search Bar
   • On Google’s homepage, you’ll see a big white box in the middle of the screen. This is the search bar where you can type what you’re looking for.
4. Type Your Question or Keywords
   • Click inside the search bar to place your cursor there. Then, type a few words or a question about what you want to find. For example, if you’re looking for a chocolate cake recipe, you could type “chocolate cake recipe.”
5. Press Enter
   • After you’ve typed your question or keywords, press the Enter key on your keyboard. You can also click the little magnifying glass icon next to the search bar.
6. Look at the Results
   • Google will show you a list of results. These are links to different websites that have information about what you searched for. Each result has a title (usually in blue), a brief description, and the website’s address (URL) in green.
7. Click on a Result
   • To see more details, you can click on one of the results. This will take you to that website where you can read more about the topic you searched for.

Example

Let’s go through an example together:

1. Open your web browser: Click on the icon for Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or whichever browser you use.
2. Go to Google’s website: Type “www.google.com” in the address bar and press Enter.
3. Find the search bar: It’s the big white box in the middle of the page.
4. Type your question: Click in the search bar and type “chocolate cake recipe”.
5. Press Enter: Hit the Enter key on your keyboard.
6. Look at the results: You’ll see a list of links to different websites with chocolate cake recipes.
7. Click on a result: Click on one of the links to go to a website and see the recipe.

Tips

• Be Specific: The more specific your question or keywords, the better your results will be. For example, “easy chocolate cake recipe” might give you more helpful results than just “chocolate cake.”
• Use Quotes for Exact Phrases: If you’re looking for an exact phrase, you can put it in quotes. For example, “world’s best chocolate cake recipe” will search for those exact words in that order.
• Explore Different Results: If the first link you click on doesn’t have what you’re looking for, go back and try another one.

Searching on Google is a powerful way to find information, and with a little practice, you’ll get the hang of it in no time!

What is a URL?

A URL, which stands for Uniform Resource Locator, is the address you type into your web browser to visit a specific website or page on the internet. It’s like the address for a house, but instead of guiding you to a physical location, it guides you to a place online.

Breaking Down a URL

Let’s look at a simple example to understand the different parts of a URL. Here’s a common URL:

https://www.example.com

• https://: This part tells your browser how to communicate with the website. “https” stands for Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure, which means the information sent between your browser and the website is encrypted and secure.
• www: This stands for World Wide Web. It’s a standard part of many URLs, but not all websites use it.
• example.com: This is the domain name, which is like the unique name of the website. “example” is the name chosen by the website owner, and “.com” is the top-level domain, indicating that it’s a commercial site. There are many other top-level domains like “.org” for organizations, “.edu” for educational institutions, and so on.

Why URLs are Important

URLs are important because they provide a simple and consistent way to find and access websites. Each URL is unique, so when you type it correctly, you’re sure to go directly to the site you want to visit. They are essential for navigating the internet, sharing links with others, and accessing online information quickly and accurately.

How Do I Type a URL?

Typing a URL is a simple and direct way to access a specific website. Here’s how you do it:

1. Open your web browser: This could be Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or any other browser you use.
2. Click on the address bar: This is the long, white bar at the top of the browser window.
3. Enter the URL: Type the address of the website you want to visit. For example, to go to Google, type “www.google.com“.
4. Press Enter: After typing the URL, press the Enter key on your keyboard, and you will be taken to the website.

What is the URL for Google Site Search?

If you want to search within a specific website using Google, you can use the site search feature. This is particularly useful when you know the site that might have the information you need but are not sure where it is located on that site. The URL for Google Site Search is formatted like this:

https://www.google.com/search?q=site:example.com+your+search+term

For instance, if you want to search for cake recipes on the website “example.com”, you would type:

https://www.google.com/search?q=site:example.com+cake+recipes

This will show you all the pages on “example.com” that mention cake recipes.

Other Ways to Find What You’re Looking for Besides Searching Google or Typing a URL

Google offers several tools to help you find specific types of content beyond traditional text searches and typing URLs. Here are some useful methods and examples of when to use each one:

Google Image Search

Google Image Search allows you to search for images related to a specific keyword or even use an image you have. If you’re unsure about the name of an object in a photo, you can either search Google or type a URL of an image-sharing site to find similar images. This can be handy if you’re looking for pictures or want to find more information about an image. Here’s how you can use it:

1. Go to Google Images: Visit images.google.com.
2. Click the Camera Icon: In the search bar, click the small camera icon.
3. Upload an Image or Paste an Image URL: You can either upload a picture from your computer or paste the URL of an image from the web.
4. View Results: Google will show you similar images and relevant information.

Example: Let’s say you have a picture of a beautiful flower, but you don’t know its name. You can upload the image to Google Image Search, and it will help you find similar pictures and information about that flower.

Google Lens

For objects in the real world, you might not be able to search Google or type a URL; instead, use Google Lens to capture the image and get instant information. Google Lens is a visual search tool that uses your smartphone’s camera to identify objects, landmarks, text, and more. It’s great for getting information about things you see in the real world. Here’s how to use it:

1. Open the Google App: On your smartphone, open the Google app.
2. Tap the Google Lens Icon: This looks like a small camera.
3. Capture or Select an Image: Take a photo or select an existing image from your gallery.
4. Get Information: Google Lens will provide details and relevant results based on the image.

Example: Imagine you’re walking in a park and see an interesting plant. You can use Google Lens to take a photo of the plant, and it will tell you what type of plant it is and give you more information about it.

Google Scholar

Google Scholar is a search engine for academic and scholarly articles. It’s perfect for students, researchers, and anyone looking for credible academic sources. When conducting research, you can search Google or type a URL directly into Google Scholar to access a wealth of academic resources. Here’s how to use it:

1. Visit Google Scholar: Go to scholar.google.com.
2. Enter Your Search Terms: Type keywords related to your research topic.
3. View Results: Browse through academic papers, theses, books, and other scholarly sources.

Example: If you’re writing a research paper on climate change, you can use Google Scholar to find academic articles, studies, and books that provide in-depth information and reliable sources for your paper.

Google Voice Search

Google Voice Search allows you to perform searches by speaking into your device’s microphone. If you’re busy cooking and your hands are messy, you don’t have to search Google or type a URL; simply use Google Voice Search to get your answers hands-free. Here’s how to use it:

1. Open Google Search or the Google App: On your device.
2. Tap the Microphone Icon: In the search bar.
3. Speak Your Query: Clearly state what you’re looking for.
4. View Results: Google will display results based on your voice input.

Example: If you’re cooking and your hands are messy, you can use Google Voice Search to ask for the next step in your recipe. Just say something like, “Hey Google, how long do I bake a chocolate cake?” and it will tell you the answer.

FAQ

What is the Difference Between Search Google or Type a URL?

• Search Google: Involves entering keywords or phrases to find relevant information from across the web.
• Type a URL: This takes you directly to a specific website without the need for a search. It’s faster if you know the exact address of the site you want to visit.

What is the URL for Google Search?

The URL for Google Search is simply www.google.com. When you type this URL into your browser’s address bar and press Enter, you will be taken directly to the Google homepage. From there, you can enter your search queries to find the information you need.

What are Some Ways to Get More Specific Results on Google Search?

To get more specific results on Google Search, use advanced search operators:

• Quotes for exact phrases: Use quotes around your search terms to find exact matches (e.g., “best chocolate cake recipe”).
• Site:: Use this to search within a specific website (e.g., site
  .com cake recipes).
• Minus (—): Use this to exclude certain terms from your search (e.g., chocolate cake recipe—nuts).

For example, when looking for specific marketing strategies, you can search Google for the “latest trends in Google Ads” or type a URL directly to access expert blogs.

Conclusion: Should You Search Google or Type a URL?

In conclusion, knowing whether to search Google or type a URL can significantly enhance your internet browsing experience. By understanding how Google Search works and learning about alternative tools like Google Image Search, Google Lens, Google Scholar, and Google Voice Search, you can find information more efficiently and accurately. Bookmarking frequently visited sites and choosing the appropriate method for each situation will streamline your online activities.

If you want help navigating the world of Google and SEO, there’s no better place to start than with the best SEO agency in Hamilton. Contact Heytony today to see how we can help you!