Limited Searches

You can limit basic searches by using a plus or minus sign to exclude or require words and phrases.

Excluding Search Terms

Use a minus sign immediately before a word or phrase to exclude the word or phrase from relevant documents.

Search Term Finds Pages That Contain
computer -apple The word computer but not the word apple
Apple Computer -newton The phrase Apple Computer but not the word Newton
"junior college" -"private college" The phrase junior college but not the phrase private college

Requiring Search Terms

Use a plus sign immediately before a word or phrase to require the word or phrase in relevant documents. Documents with optional words have higher scores than documents containing only the required word.

Search Term Finds Pages That Contain
automobile +Triumph The word Triumph and possibly the word automobile
British Leyland, porsche +race The word race and possibly the words British Leyland and porsche
"junior college" +"women's college" The phrase women's college and possibly the phrase junior college