A Calm Introduction to The Online World
5. Search With Confidence – How To Find What You Need Online
How to Find What You Need Online (Without Feeling Lost)
You’ve probably heard the phrase “Just Google it!”
But if you’ve ever sat at a search bar thinking,
“What exactly should I type?”
“How do I know what’s trustworthy?”
“Am I searching the right way?”
This lesson is for you.
Learning how to search with confidence is one of the most empowering things you can do online. It means you can find answers, tools, ideas — on your terms.
Let’s take it slow and make it simple.
What Is a Search Engine?
A search engine is a tool that helps you find websites, answers, and resources on the internet.
The most popular one is:
- Google (www.google.com )
Others include:
- Bing(www.bing.com)
- DuckDuckGo(duckduckgo.com)
- Ecosia(www.ecosia.org)
You type in a question or phrase → it shows you a list of results → you click one to explore.
What Should I Type In?
Think of Google like a helpful librarian. The better your question, the better the answer.
Here’s the trick:
Be specific. Use everyday words. And include what you’re trying to do.
🧠 Try These Examples:
|
Vague Search |
Clearer Search |
|
“website” |
“how to make a blog using Divi” |
|
“photos” |
“how to upload a photo to Facebook” |
|
“email” |
“how to send an email with an attachment in Gmail” |
Don’t worry about grammar. Just ask in your own words.
What Shows Up in the Results?
Once you hit Enter, you’ll see:
- Website titles (big blue text)
- Short descriptions underneath
- Website addresses in green or grey
Start with sites you recognise, or ones that sound calm and helpful (like gov.uk, bbc.co.uk, or trusted blogs).
What to Avoid
Skip links that:
- Look pushy or spammy (“Earn £5,000 a day!”)
- Are filled with ads before you get to the answer
- Sound confusing or unrelated to your question
Remember: the top result isn’t always the best.
Much of the time it’s just the one that paid to be there.
Tips for Confident Searching
- Put your most important words first
e.g. “upload video YouTube step-by-step” - Use quotes if you want an exact phrase
e.g. “how to write a blog post”
Don’t click unless it feels trustworthy — you’re in charge
Your Task For Today
- Go to www.google.com
- Type in something you want to know
(Not what you “should” search — what you care about) - Read the first 2–3 results
- Click one that feels right — and see what you find.
And Finally...
Searching is a skill — and like any skill, you learn by doing.
You’re not “bad at Google.”
You’re just getting started.
👉 Next: Lesson 6 – What Is a Website (And Could You Build One Someday?)
You’re not just online. You’re exploring with purpose.