Net 4: Look for Similar Pages

Once you've found something you like on Google, it's very easy (and useful) to find similar pages. How? Below the advanced search fields that you've been using up until now are another two fields. These allow you to find pages that Google has deemed to be similar to or linked to any URL you type in.

How does Google know that two pages are similar? The details of the inner workings of search engines are a trade secret, but it's safe to assume that it's based on similarities in the words and the external links on each page. All that matters is that it works surprisingly well, especially when you're not sure what key words to look for.

Use this tool to find more of a good thing. Use it to find pages that are linked to a page that you find useful. Chances are, those pages might be useful to you, too.

And there's always ego surfing: if you've uploaded a page of your own to a public server and it's been there for awhile, find out who else is linking to it.

Query
# Matches

Suppose that you've discovered Tapped In, an online community of educators, and you're wondering what else like that is out there. Using Google's similarity search will surface a number of sites that are likely to interest you.

SIMILAR TO: www.tappedin.org

Write the number of hits you get below.

Another way to explore a domain is to find out who else is linked to a page. Who else finds Tapped In useful enough to include on one of their pages?

LINKED TO: www.tappedin.org

 

Here's another search to try:

SIMILAR TO: kids.msfc.nasa.gov


LINKED TO: kids.msfc.nasa.gov


 

Continue to NETS RECAP

http://webquest.sdsu.edu/searching/fournets.htm
Written by Bernie Dodge. Last updated March 11, 2002

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