View Full Version : What's wrong with this search string ?
mobybit
06-05-2007, 01:42 PM
What's wrong with this Google search statement :
("western digital"|wd) (wd800|80gb) -wd800bb -wd800jb -dvr -video -passport -scorpio -laptop -notebook -portable -sata -ipod -external -"2.5" -"2.5in" -"2.5-in" -7200 -7200rpm
In spite of the -scorpio -portable -"2.5" -"2.5in" -"2.5-in" elements I still receive hits like :
Western Digital 80gb 2.5in. eide drive-retailbox ...
Western Digital / 80GB / 5400 / 2MB / 2.5-in / OEM
Western Digital 80gb 2.5" Scorpio Portable Ide Ata-100 ...
What's wrong with this Google search statement :
("western digital"|wd) (wd800|80gb) -wd800bb -wd800jb -dvr -video -passport -scorpio -laptop -notebook -portable -sata -ipod -external -"2.5" -"2.5in" -"2.5-in" -7200 -7200rpm
In spite of the -scorpio -portable -"2.5" -"2.5in" -"2.5-in" elements I still receive hits like :
Western Digital 80gb 2.5in. eide drive-retailbox ...
Western Digital / 80GB / 5400 / 2MB / 2.5-in / OEM
Western Digital 80gb 2.5" Scorpio Portable Ide Ata-100 ...
You get those results because you are searching for "western digital" and "80gb".
mobybit
06-05-2007, 03:04 PM
You get those results because you are searching for "western digital" and "80gb".
Yes, however, the minus ("-") operator is supposed to exclude matching hits. Ex : -"2.5" should eliminate any hits with "2.5" in the page contents.
Yes, however, the minus ("-") operator is supposed to exclude matching hits. Ex : -"2.5" should eliminate any hits with "2.5" in the page contents.
Yes, however you did not minus the exact terms for example "2.5 in."! Try -2.5 and not -"2.5" and I think you will get the desired results.
mobybit
06-05-2007, 04:06 PM
Yes, however you did not minus the exact terms for example "2.5 in."! Try -2.5 and not -"2.5" and I think you will get the desired results.
There seems to be a limit of 5 "minus" terms or perhaps a limit on total length of the search string. The last "minus" term in this search sting is not effective :
("western digital"|wd) (wd800|80gb) -sata -7200 -7200rpm -scorpio -passport -"2.5"
Rearrange the string like this and hits on "2.5" will be eliminated but the last search directive element is still ignored :
("western digital"|wd) (wd800|80gb) -sata -7200 -7200rpm -scorpio -"2.5" -passport
it's always hard to predict the results of a long query.
As an ex., Shawnuff notes that a period can be used instead of double quotes for phrase search. I've tried it, and it works. Then "2.5" is the same as 2.5. Shouldn't make any difference, though. But what if you have a string of operators, how would they interact?
http://www.googletutor.com/2007/06/04/quick-search-tip-related-and-link-operators/