What's going on with my web searches?

[Redacted]

I don't know why I can't seem to find things I'm searching for, whether using Google or duck duck go.
A couple days ago I put in - word for word - a warning from YouTube about my browser. I even added the words Pale Moon.
I got nothing related to the issue. Yet today I see that this topic has been discussed since the beginning of January on the PM forums.
This has been happening to me for a couple years.
My wife used to call me a search engine guru , yet I'm floundering these days, typing in all kinds of different search terms to try and find answers.
My question: is it me, or is it the search engines (or both)?
I know they change their algorithms, but have they changed that much from 10, 15 years ago?
And any pointers on better ways to search in these days?

[richb]

Got some hits with this search term using Google.

YouTube warning browser not supported

[Mauser]

I am returning multiple hits on "YouTube warning browser not supported" as well when I Duck it.

[jeffreyC]

Not so new.
A good read on it:

https://neosmart.net/blog/2016/on-the-g ... h-results/

One of the things puzzling me lately is when I search for Linux I get results about Ubuntu nearly exclusively, when I search for Debian I get results for everything from Arch to Zorin.

Starting to think I need an English/Googlese dictionary.

[JayM]

I've found that when searching for information about Linux the results tend to be better if I add -ubuntu to my search terms. Sometimes I even have to add -windows depending on what I get in my results the first time.

[mjtux]

The phrasing, choice of words and the order in which they are listed can have a dramatic effect on the results.
With error message seaches, I have found that the exact wording in quotation marks is more likely to produce helpful results.
If it's a very long message, try certain portions only, starting with the beginning, also in quotes.

In duckduckgo.com - fourth hit is the Pale Moon forum:

"We'll stop supporting this browser soon." Pale Moon

https://forum.palemoon.org/viewtopic.php?t=23566

duckduckgo search without quotes:

debian linux based distros

These are on the first page of results:

• https://distrowatch.com/search.php?basedon=Debian - MX at top of the list
• https://www.datamation.com/open-source/ ... stros.html - MX is #1
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category: ... tributions - Antix, Mepis, & MX listed

As JayM mentioned, weeding out unwanted results with the minus prefix can be very helpful.

I do the same type of thing with Youtube searches. Word choice and ordering is more critical there.
I've been watching all types of Linux videos; distro reviews, xfce customization, Bash tutorials ...

[Bonzoo2525]

Wording a search is an art form
NO : I have a problem with my mommies Linux printer
YES: print Gentoo Canon

[tascoast]

I did a workshop on searching academic databases when studying a few years ago and found it quite valuable.
Too narrow, too specific, etc are common issues common to web searches in many instances.
Learning more about advanced search options where your result must include a word string or excludes a particular term etc., tweeking your search criteria will improve results.
https://www.google.com.au/advanced_search
will show some of the options available but other search engines will vary.
Never underestimate the monetisation and promotion of search results, or limitations of safe search setting in your browser

[Redacted]

Thanks for the responses.
In that link that jeffreyC gave, it quotes Google as saying:
"If you use a long query, Google might ignore some of your keywords".
I think maybe that's been my part of my problem.
I definitely will also start trying to use the minus and advanced search. I used to use them long ago, but for some reason stopped.
Thanks again for all the help.

[LU344928]

have they changed that much from 10, 15 years ago?

Google has certainly introduced vast censorship over the years, as attested to by many whistleblowers.

You may get better results with these:

https://gibiru.com/

https://www.yippy.com/