Being NEAR Proximity

What if you are researching famous actor Rex Carey Harrison? This sequence of words is normally connected, but what about finding sites that list Rex Harrison, R. Harrison, or Rex C Harrison?

This problem could be solved by searching for "Rex Harrison" OR "R. Harrison" or "Rex C Harrison" but that's a bit long. Some search engines only allow so many words in their search query. This is also a bit much to type every time you are searching on phrases that could appear in many different forms.

The key is to find what each variation has in common and use the command NEAR. In our example, we would search on Rex NEAR Harrison. What about sites that use his given name? Just use "Rex OR Reginald" NEAR Harrison. This will work in most search engines. (Remeber when mixing techniques, that experimentation will yield the proper combination that works for your favorite search engine.)

How Far Away is Near?

Each search engine has it's own rules about the number of words that can appear between words in order to have them qualify as NEAR. (Say that five times fast.)

In other words, if search for asteroid NEAR galaxy, one search engine may only give you pages where asteroid is ten words away from galaxy where another engine gives you pages where they are five words apart. Luckily you can control this.

If you want asteroid to be three words away from galaxy, then you would search for asteroid NEAR/3 galaxy.

Important NEAR Tips

Search engines keep changing and the use of near may not be supported. Try another engine until you get the results you are looking for.

Search engines are also getting smarter and will guess at what words are typically found near each other. If you are curious, try your search with and without the near command. The problem is that this smart guessing game can interfere with what you really are searching for. Sometimes it's better to have a dumb search engine depending upon your search.

As any search expert will tell you, don't be afraid to try a number of search engines. Your favorite search engine will not work in all circumstances.