7 Tips for Innovative Internet Search

7 Tips for Innovative Internet Search

What is the fastest way to find ideas, inspiration and innovation opportunities on the Internet? Stop searching and start using these 7 tips to find the most relevant sites for your discovery

• Offline preparation

You should not start Google search directly.  It is a good idea to write your query conditions carefully. What are the five to seven basic terms in your query? Search for non-English languages. You can translate keywords into three other languages (Google translator will help you) Imagine the ideal page that answers your queries. What do these ideal answers look like? Use the exact same expression as your search sentence.

• Use all of Google’s possibilities.

Hundreds of extra search options are hidden behind Google’s home page. Always use Google’s advanced search option and select the language, country, file format, date etc. Always use at least three query terms and use parentheses when these words need to be searched together. Google has many special channels. Discover your query also in Google images, academic, video news, blogs, directories and so on.

• Solo Brainstorming

Now you’ve gone well with your query. Try to gain some perspective without hurry. After all, you’re looking for something you don’t know yet. Therefore, it is not realistic to expect to find an answer on Google. So imagine the possible cases that you hope to find on the internet. Create a list of over fifty new products or services based on your query. The more strange they are, the better. As a result, search for these imaginary products on the internet. You’ll automatically find sites you won’t usually find.

• More than Google

It’s time to leave Google; after all, Google only offers a small part of the Internet. You will find countless search engines well classified (general, visuals, video, news, social, files, reference, academic). You will also notice that you can search in a wide variety of formats. It is also highly recommended that you search for social media such as Twitter, LinkedIn Groups, etc.

• Search in different languages

Install the Google Toolbar and translate foreign language sites into English immediately. The translations are not perfect, but they are good enough to give you a general idea. For example, if you are looking for information on innovations related to food or devices, call some Japanese sites. First consider which countries have experience in the area you are researching, then go and discover them.

• Deep internet search

You cannot access many information directly via Google. A wide variety of resources (large databases, libraries and archives) should be directly questioned. Therefore, you should explore your main resources (via Google) and then investigate your own query on these sources one by one. You can also search deeply by intelligent multiplication. Imagine that you have found a well-hidden super resource for your query. Then use Google to find out who else is talking about this site. You will probably discover another valuable resource. As a result, when you combine two sources on Google, you will probably find a third and fourth resource. If you combine all four, you will reach a site belonging to someone who has already collected information about your first query.

• Find ideas from other sectors

Combine ideas from other worlds with your query: Do not subscribe only to sites related to your domain; Sign up for at least ten other sectors and areas that may be interesting every month. In this way, look for a sector that has a higher level of innovation than your industry. As a result, check that these innovations will be transferred to your query. Take the following query as an example: How do I get rid of rows in the cash register?  Then look for innovations about traffic congestion. Make a list of the most innovative companies currently in operation. Then imagine how to innovate in your field. Some examples: How did Nike innovate in public transportation? How did Cirque de Soleil innovate in hotels and restaurants?

My Best Wishes

Batur Erdogan