Comments on: How do I get the old Google search results back?

Question: How do I get the old Google search results back?

FuckingAwesome — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 10:36:38 -0800

So, it would appear that Google have changed their search algorithms. Using search queries that would have previously returned hundreds of results I am getting a handful of results which are mostly irrelevant / gibberish. Any ideas how I can go back to the "old" Google? Thanks!

By: Kimberly

Kimberly — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 10:39:35 -0800

It would be helpful if you gave some examples of the search queries you're talking about.

By: Oktober

Oktober — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 10:44:27 -0800

Generally, you can't. Algorithm changes are irreversible from a user perspective, but if it's a case where your search terms are just being parsed differently, you could try using different sets of operators.

If you could give us an example, it'll help.

By: FuckingAwesome

FuckingAwesome — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 10:46:43 -0800

http://www.google.co.uk/search?source=ig&hl=en&rlz=1G1GGLQ_ENGB274&q=%22sociology+of+punishment%22+%2Bfoucault&oq=%22sociology+of+punishment%22+%2Bfoucault&aq=f&aqi=&aql=&gs_sm=3&gs_upl=848l8001l0l8128l40l40l1l9l0l0l144l1931l26.4l30l0

OK, this is an example! This "should" bring up hundreds if not thousands of results, since Foucault is the author of one of the foundational texts in this field.

By: stopgap

stopgap — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 10:48:28 -0800

Here you go. They changed the plus operator to integrate with Google+. You have to put a term that has to be on the page in quotes now.

By: Trexsock

Trexsock — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 10:49:26 -0800

Have you tried Google Scholar? I'm getting hundreds of links with it:

http://scholar.google.co.uk/scholar?q=%22sociology+of+punishment%22+%2Bfoucault&hl=en&as_sdt=0&as_vis=1&oi=scholart&sa=X&ei=iMRPT72qMseWOoHb7akK&ved=0CBsQgQMwAA\

By: stopgap

stopgap — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 10:49:59 -0800

(See also.)

By: merocet

merocet — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 10:50:01 -0800

Odd. No idea why, but if you remove the "+" from foucault and leave "sociology of punishment" in quotes you're back to lots of results.

By: zippy

zippy — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 10:50:46 -0800

what stopgap said. I had to change my search strategies to get around the now-broken plus operator. short version - you need to quote single words now.

By: thelonius

thelonius — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 10:53:59 -0800

You can use the '+' operator by entering "Verbatim" mode.

I can find that under "Search", "More", "Search Tools". Who knows what they do when you try it from wherever you are, though.

I'm not happy about this.

By: sandra_s

sandra_s — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 11:58:48 -0800

http://searchresearch1.blogspot.com/2011/11/verbatim-mode-google-without.html

details how to go into verbatim mode.

+ was simple, intuitive and accurate. I miss it so much.

By: brainmouse

brainmouse — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 11:59:05 -0800

You don't need to click lots of buttons to find verbatim mode -- putting quotes around your search term does exactly what the '+' operator used to do.

By: klausman

klausman — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 13:19:29 -0800

Also, if you just put a space between + and Focault, there are 14,800 results. Like this.

By: Traymoon

Traymoon — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 16:07:38 -0800

How to set Verbatim mode as default on Google Chrome.

By: banshee

banshee — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 08:37:14 -0800

Any ideas how I can go back to the "old" Google?

You could use Bing