User Guide: Search Engine Interface

Welcome to our Search Engine! This guide will walk you through the key features of our search interface, helping you navigate the platform efficiently and get the most out of your search experience.

1. The Search Bar

The central feature of our search engine is the **search bar**. This is where you enter the terms or keywords you’re looking for. Simply type your query into the search bar and press Enter to get your results.

2. Filters

To narrow down your results, you can use our **filters**. After you’ve entered a search query, you'll see options to filter results by:

  • Search type (web, images, videos, etc.)
  • Date range (e.g., last 24 hours, past week)
  • Content type (news, blogs, forums, etc.)

These filters allow you to find more specific content based on your preferences and needs.

3. Advanced Search

For more refined results, use the **Advanced Search** option. Here, you can specify more detailed criteria, such as:

  • Exact phrases
  • Excluding specific terms
  • Search within a particular website or domain

To access Advanced Search, click on the “Advanced Search” link under the search bar after you’ve entered a query.

4. Understanding Search Results

The search results page displays a list of relevant results based on your query. Each result includes:

  • The title of the page or content
  • A brief description or snippet from the content
  • A link to the source website

You can click on any result to visit the source website. If the snippet doesn't provide enough information, you can refine your query to get more relevant results.

5. Keyboard Shortcuts

To make your search experience more efficient, you can use the following **keyboard shortcuts**:

  • Ctrl + K (or Cmd + K on Mac) – Focus on the search bar
  • Ctrl + L (or Cmd + L on Mac) – Clear the search bar
  • Enter – Submit your search query
  • Esc – Close any open menus or dialogs

6. Customizing Preferences

To personalize your experience, you can customize various settings. Go to the **Settings** section (accessible from the menu in the top-right corner) to adjust preferences like:

  • Language of the interface
  • Default search filters
  • Privacy settings

By adjusting these preferences, you can tailor the search engine to meet your specific needs and improve the overall experience.

7. Helpful Tips

Here are a few tips to get the most out of your searches:

  • Use quotes for exact phrases (e.g., “climate change research”)
  • Use a minus sign to exclude terms (e.g., "vacation -beach")
  • Check the date of content if you're looking for the most recent information

If you have any questions or need further assistance with the interface, please don't hesitate to reach out to our support team. We’re here to help!