What are the best practices for using Boolean operators in search queries?

What are the best practices for using Boolean operators in search queries?

Using Boolean operators like AND, OR, and NOT can refine your search results. For example, using AND narrows your search by including all terms, while OR broadens it by including any of the terms.

Can you give me an example of how to use these operators?

Sure! If you're searching for articles on cats and dogs, you could use "cats AND dogs" to find results that include both. If you're interested in either one, use "cats OR dogs".

What about using NOT? How does that work?

The NOT operator excludes terms from your search. For instance, if you want information on cats but not on Siamese cats, you would search for "cats NOT Siamese".

Are there any common mistakes to avoid when using these operators?

Yes, a common mistake is not using parentheses to group terms correctly. For example, in a search like "cats AND (dogs OR rabbits)" the parentheses clarify the order of operations.