For new internet users and users introduced to the internet at an older age it is not uncommon for the user to assume that because the website or information they are looking for does not come up on the first few pages of a Google search that it is not available. However, using the address bar can change that.

In fact, in many cases users are not even aware that there may be other ways of finding what they are looking for without even using Google. These users tend not to use the address bar (see image above) of their browser, do not know of the existence of specialist search engines and some cases may not even be aware of the existence of other search engines such as Yahoo, Bing or Ask.

While this over reliance on Google no doubt has Google execs in raptures it has the unfortunate effect of making the World Wide Web Google-centric. Advertising and promotional expenditure tend to be focused on Google, knowledge and use of alternate information finding methods wane and the behemoth that is Google grows as does the impression that Google is the internet.

There are significant benefits to using the address bar over a Google search:

• It’s faster.
• New websites can take some time to appear in Google and some sites may not appear at all.
• Making use of the auto complete, history and favourites features make revisiting previously visited pages fast and easy.
• Google search results favour websites that have spent the money and effort to be at the top of the list not necessarily the best results for you.
• Google search results reflect the preferences of other searchers that may not have the same preference as you do.
• By using the address bar you aren’t inadvertently contributing to the rankings of websites that you may not have an interest in.

Tips to find what you are looking for:

1. If you know the domain name of the website you are looking for type it straight into the address bar of your browser.
2. Wiki’s such as Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org) provide a great source of reliable basic information on a range of subjects especially that relating to people and places.
3. If searching for very specific or highly technical information make use of specialist search services like OmniMedicalSearch.com or findlaw.com.
4. Learn the correct methods for advanced searches such as using punctuation, “+” and “OR” etc.
5. If all else fails try Google.