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Research 101

Google searching

How does Google search?

Google sends out "spiders" (also called bots or web crawlers) that jump from webpage to webpage following hyperlinks on each page. These spiders index the words on each page in a database. When you do a Google search, you are searching their database to find web pages that seem relevant based on their words.

However, Google also ranks pages based on other factors. Google will use what it knows about you and/or the computer you are using to tailor your results.

What does Google not search?

From some estimates, Google has access to less than 10% of online material. Other estimates say that the figure is even smaller than 10%.

Some web pages that the spiders cannot find and index include:

  • Databases that require a paid subscription
  • Any pages that require a password or login
  • Websites that have been made private/not crawlable by Google spiders, such as networks available within a particular company
  • Web pages that are not linked to other web pages

This is why you have access to materials via Hostos Library that you could not find via Google.

I found an article on the internet and it says I need to pay!

Do Not Pay For Articles Found Online

If you’re asked online to pay for an article, don't! Hostos Library can get you the article for free, either through our own access or through Interlibrary Loan.

To check whether Hostos Library has the article, search for the article using OneSearch.

Remember, do not pay for individual articles. You are already paying for access with your Hostos tuition. 

Need help? Talk to a librarian!