Search engines
Search engines
What's coming up?
Knowing the address of every website you want to visit on the internet would be impossible. That's where a search engine comes in handy.
In this activity, you will learn about search engines, and how they can help find what you're looking for on the internet.
Start activityWhat a search engine does
A search engine is a special web page that is like a directory for the internet. When you need to find a website or information on a particular topic, you can use a search engine.
The web browser that comes with every smartphone, computer and tablet will have a search engine already setup, so it can be quick and easy to get started.
Some of the most popular search engines are:
- www.google.com.au
- www.bing.com.au
How to search
Starting a search can be easy. The first step is to open the web browser on your device and type www.google.com.au or www.bing.com.au into the address bar.
The Google or Bing search page will open, and you can type what you’re looking for into the large Search bar in the middle of the page.
For example, if you're looking for information on Dalmatian dogs, you could type Dalmatians into the Search bar.
How to search (cont'd)
The search engine will look for web pages with information that matches your search term, and show a page of search results. Each result will be a link to a web page.
Clicking on a link will take you to that web page, and information about your search.
eSafety tip
The first results of any search are usually advertisements. They have a slightly different design to other search results and include the word Ad or Sponsored, usually in the top left corner.
These types of ads are generally safe, but they may take you somewhere unexpected if you click on them. To be extra sure, avoid clicking on them and choose one of the non-advertising results instead. You can also do another web search to confirm the legitimacy of the company or product in the ad before clicking on it.
Other ways to search
Regardless of what web page is open, you can also type what you are searching for straight into the address bar of your browser.
Your browser’s default search engine will search the web for you and provide you with the results that most closely match your search term.
You can practise How to use Google search and Search using the address bar in the interactive Practice area.
Well done!
You've completed the Search engines activity.
A search engine is your gateway to the internet, and as you use it you'll get to know how it works and how you can get better results by refining your search terms.
Next up, you will learn about some basic safety rules to follow when browsing online in the Internet safety tips activity.