SEARCH
Finding the information you need…
The internet is like a massive library that never closes. It has answers for almost everything. It can tell you the weather. It can show you how to fix a motor. It can help you find health information. But because there is so much information, you need a tool to find exactly what you want. This tool is called a search engine.
Think of a search engine as a very fast helper. You tell the helper what you are looking for. The helper then looks through billions of pages to find the best match for you. The most popular helper in the world is called Google. When you want to find something, you "Google it."
You do not need to know where the information is. You only need to know what you are looking for. At Alaska Digital Partners, we help people learn these tools every day. Searching is the most important skill for anyone using a computer or a phone. It gives you the power to find answers on your own.
BOX
Starting your journey…
To start searching, you must find the search box. On most phones and computers, this box is in the middle of the screen when you open your internet app. It is a long, white rectangle. Sometimes it has a small magnifying glass icon next to it.
When you click or tap inside this box, a thin line will start blinking. This blinking line is the computer's way of saying, "I am listening. Tell me what you want to find." You are now ready to type.
Do you have a question right now?
Do you want to know about a local event?
Do you want to see the ferry schedule?
You can type anything into this box. You do not have to worry about making a mistake. The computer is very patient. It will wait for you to finish your words.
WORDS
Choosing the right question…
The best way to search is to use simple words. You do not need to use perfect English. You do not need to use capital letters. You do not even need to spell everything perfectly. Google is very good at guessing what you mean.
Here is a tip: Use the most important words first.
If you want to know how to bake bread, you can just type: bake bread.
If you want to find a doctor in Anchorage, you can type: doctor Anchorage.
If you want to find information on cybersecurity training, you can type: cybersecurity class Alaska.
If you use too many words, the helper might get confused. For example, instead of typing "I am looking for a place that sells fishing gear near my house," you should just type: fishing gear near me.
Keep your words short. Use only the names of things or places. This helps the search engine give you the fastest and best answers.
RESULTS
Reading the answers…
After you type your words and press the "Enter" key or tap the magnifying glass, the screen will change. You will see a list of results. This list is the search engine showing you what it found.
Each result usually has three parts:
- The Blue Words: This is the name of the page. It is a link.
- The Website Address: This is usually in small gray or green letters. It tells you who wrote the page.
- The Black Text: This is a short summary. It gives you a "sneak peek" of what is on that page.
You should read the black text first. Does it sound like the answer you need? If it does, you can click or tap on the Blue Words. This will take you to that website.
If you do not see what you want, do not worry. You can scroll down the page to see more results. If you still don't find it, you can go back to the search box at the top and try different words.
CHOOSE
Knowing where to click…
Sometimes the search results show "Ads" at the very top. These are pages that companies paid to put there. They might be helpful, but they are not always the best answer. Look for the word "Ad" or "Sponsored" in small letters. Often, the best answers are the ones just below the ads.
When you click a blue link, you are leaving Google and going to a new website. If you get to that website and it is not what you wanted, look for a "Back" button on your screen. It usually looks like an arrow pointing to the left (←). Tapping this will take you back to your list of search results so you can try a different link.
SAFETY
Protecting your privacy…
Safety is our biggest priority at Alaska Digital Partners. While searching is helpful, you must be careful about your private information.
Here are three rules for staying safe:
- Never give your Social Security number to a website you found through a search unless you are 100% sure it is an official government site.
- Never give your bank details to a site that says you "won a prize." If it sounds too good to be true, it is likely a trick.
- Check the address. Trustworthy sites often end in .gov (for government), .edu (for schools), or .org (for organizations).
We offer specialized cybersecurity training sessions to help you learn more about these safety steps. Using the internet is a great way to work smarter, but doing it safely is the only way to work with confidence.
PRACTICE
Try it yourself…
The best way to learn is to do it. Right now, try a practice search.
Open your browser.
Go to the search box.
Type: Alaska weather.
What do you see?
Is there a map?
Are there blue links for news stations?
Now try another one. Type: how to stay safe online.
You might see our website in the results!
The more you practice, the easier it becomes. You cannot break the internet by searching. Feel free to explore and ask as many questions as you like. There is no limit to how many searches you can do in one day.
FUTURE
What comes next…
We hope this guide helps you feel more comfortable finding information online. Technology is always changing, and we want to help you stay ahead of those changes.
Starting next week, look out for our new Future Fridays series where we explore what's coming next in technology!
Every Friday, we will post a new story about "new aged" features and tools that are coming to the market soon. These will be fun for beginners to learn and interesting for people who already know the basics. We will talk about things like robots, smart homes, and new ways to communicate with your family.
Join us every Friday to see the future…
Alaska Digital Partners provides practical training sessions for individuals and small businesses. We focus on privacy, safety, and responsible technology use.
