Search for web site sources using the Google search box.
Also included here are tips for understanding different types of web sites, and information about the Google Advanced Search option.
As a starting point for evaluating websites, one might use the part of the web address immediately after the "dot" (for example, .com) to try to determine the reliability of the information. This part of the address (or URL) is called a "top-level domain" that someone asks to have when creating their website. The websites you most frequently visit have top-level domains, or TLDs, that likely fall into one of the following categories:
TLD | Category | A site with this TLD can be registered by... |
---|---|---|
.com | Unrestricted | Anyone |
.edu | Sponsored | An accredited US-based college or university approved by EDUCAUSE |
.gov | Sponsored | federal, state, or local governments within the US approved by an independent government agency |
.net | Unrestricted | Anyone |
.org | Unrestricted | Anyone |
.va | Country Code | officials of the Vatican |
.za | Country Code | mainly South African citizens and businesses, but no policy excludes others from registering |
Google's Advanced search provides easy access to more relevant results.
Add .edu, .org, or .gov into the "site or domain" box to target more reliable websites.