FreeFind Search Tips

There are several ways to modify the default search behavior.

  1. phrase search
    The search engine supports three types of phrase search.
    • To match an exact phrase, use quotes around the phrase
      Example: "free search engine"
    • To match a near (within a couple of words) phrase, use square brackets [around the words]
      Example: [free search engine]
    • To match a far (within several words) phrase, use braces { around the words }
      Example: {free search engine}
  2. + and - qualifiers
    If you prepend a word with + that word is required to be on the page.
    If you prepend a word with - that word is required to not be on the page.
    Example: +always -never
  3. * wildcard
    If a query word ends with a * all words on a page which start the same way as that query word will match.
    Example: gift*
  4. ? wildcard
    If a query word contains a ? any character will match that position.
    Example: b?g
  5. boolean search
    You can use the following boolean operators in your search: AND, OR, NOT. These operators MUST be in capital letters.
    Example: (contact AND us) OR (about AND us)
All of these techniques can be combined: +alway* -ne??r*