Web Search Help

Using Web Search

1. How do I find what I'm looking for with a Google search?

We're always working hard to help you easily find what you're looking for with Google. While we don't provide personalized search assistance, we can offer plenty of tips to help you search more strategically.

Tip #1: Choose your keywords wisely. Select descriptive, specific words.

• Search for: Vancouver 2010 Olympics rather than Olympics


• Search for: 2004 football statistics rather than football

Tip #2: Use quotes for an exact match.

• When you enclose your search query in quotation marks, you'll only get results for the exact terms you entered in the order you entered them.


• Search for: "friendly robot" rather than friendly robot

Tip #3: Try one of our search features.

	For calculations, search for the equation
	Example: 5+2*2

	For flight status, search for the flight number
	Example: united 134

Tip #4 (may not be available in your language): Learn more about Google search by checking out our:

• Full list of Search Features


• List of Advanced Operators


• Advanced Search page and Advanced Search tips
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2. How can I use Google to find someone I've lost touch with?

Start with a basic Google search. We're proud to return accurate and relevant results on searches for names, and we recommend that you type the most commonly used version of the name within quotation marks (e.g., [ "Winston Churchill" ] ) in the Google search box at www.google.com

Still haven't found what you're looking for? You can find additional tips on refining your search technique by visiting our Basics of Search and Advanced Search guides in one of the languages shown at the top of this page.

3. How can I get Google to recognize punctuation in my search query?

Google doesn't recognize special characters such as exclamation points, question marks, or the @ sign. These types of characters are so common that including them in a search would greatly slow the delivery of the search results. Additionally, the use of punctuation on the web is so inconsistent (for example, there's no obvious way to decide between Mr. and Mr) that including it in the query often does more harm than good to the relevance of your search results.

While we don't currently offer a way to force Google to recognize all special characters, we understand that many useful search terms do contain such characters. We've generated exceptions for terms like C++ and $10, and we're studying ways to enable search terms like C/net.

4. Does Google support wildcard searches?

Yes, a wildcard in a Google search query can be indicated by an asterisk, and will match one or more whole words.

Example: a search for [ cooking * classes ] will return results for all of the following phrases (and more):

• "cooking school classes"
• "cooking and wine tasting classes"

One common use of the asterisk is to fill in the blanks for a query that answers a question: [ the parachute was invented by * ]. Also, you can use more than one asterisk in a single search, such as [ vitamin * is good for * ].

Please note that wildcard searches work for whole words or phrases only; currently, Google doesn't support searches in which an asterisk indicates a fraction or extension of a word: [ flower * classes ] will not match "flowerful classes." However, we do use stemming technology -- when appropriate, Google will search not only for your search terms, but also for words that are similar to some or all of those terms. For example, if you search for [ pet lemur dietary needs ], Google will also search for [ pet lemur diet needs ] and other related variations of your terms.

5. How can I limit my search results to pages from a specific country or domain?

There are several ways to limit your search to a specific country or domain. We've listed four possibilities below:

- Using the "Domain" field on the Advanced Search page at http://www.google.com/advanced_search. This field allows you to search a specified site (such as Google.com) or a top level domain (such as .edu).

- Following your search terms with a domain restriction in the Google search box. To do so, use the site: operator followed by your chosen domain. The site: operator works for both web domains and top level domains. For example:

- music site:uk
- lemur site:org
- enrollment site:edu
- ranking site:google.com

- Selecting a country from the language drop-down menu on our Language Tools page at http://www.google.com/language_tools

- Choosing to only search pages from one of our country-specific sites by clicking on the corresponding radio button. For example, you can select “pages from the UK” when you conduct a search on www.google.co.uk. While all sites in our index return for searches restricted to "the web," we draw on a relevant subset of sites for each country restrict. When searching for pages from a specific country, keep in mind that our crawlers identify the country that corresponds to a site by factors such as the physical location at which the site is hosted, the site's IP address, and its domain restrict.

6. How do I make Google my homepage?

It's easy to make Google your homepage. Simply click the "Make Google Your Homepage!" link that appears below the search box on Google.com.

If you don't see this link and you're using Microsoft Internet Explorer, please follow the instructions below to set Google as your default homepage:

1. Select "Tools," then "Internet Options."
2. Click on the "General" tab.
3. Under "Home page," type http://www.google.com/ in the "Address" field.
4. Click "OK."

For more information, please visit http://www.google.com/options/defaults.html (in English only). If you need instructions for an alternate browser, we suggest consulting your browser's online support center.

7. How are search results customized?

When you perform a search, a message may appear in the upper right corner of the search results page if the results have been significantly customized based on one or more of the following factors:

• Location: If you're signed in to your Google Account, your search results may be customized for a default location that you've previously specified (for example, in Google Maps). If you're not signed in, then results may be customized for an approximate location based on your IP address.

  If you'd like Google to use a different location, you can sign in to or create a Google Account and provide a city or street address. Your specific location will be used not only for customizing search results, but also to improve your experience in Google Maps and other Google products.



• Recent searches: We take into account whether a particular query followed on the heels of another query. Because recent search activity provides valuable context for understanding the meaning behind your searches, we use it to customize your results whenever possible, regardless of whether you're signed in or signed out. In order to customize your results and show you the customization details, we keep recent searches in a cookie on your browser for approximately 30 minutes. After approximately 30 minutes, this cookie is removed from your browser. Completely closing your browser will remove this cookie immediately.

  On rare occasions, recent searches may be kept on your browser for a different time duration as Google experiments with improving quality. In all cases, recent searches are not kept on your browser for more than 24 hours and the link to the search customization page will not be accessible after approximately 30 minutes from the time of the search.



• Web History: If you're signed in and have Web History enabled, we customize your search results based on what you've searched for in the past on Google, and what sites you've visited. If there's a particular search that you'd rather not have personalized based on your Web History, you can also just temporarily sign out of your Google Account. Learn more about Web History.

You can click the More details link in the message to see the specific information used to customize your search results. For privacy reasons, this information becomes unavailable after a brief period of time. Visit the Privacy Center to obtain more information about Google's privacy policy.

Personalizing iGoogle

1. Why does my email address appear at the top of the page?

If you're signed in to your Google Account, the email address associated with your account will be shown on the top-right corner of the page. Your email address will no longer show once you've signed out of your account.

If you share a computer and don't want others to have access to your Google Account, be sure to always sign out of your Google Account when you're finished using the computer. To log out, click the "Sign out" link at the top-right of the page. (This will log you out, even if you had checked the "Remember me..." option when you logged in.)

If you've signed out and still see personalized information on some Google services, then deleting your browser's cookies will take care of that. (Please note that this will also remove your saved settings for other sites you've previously visited.)

To delete your cookies using IE, just follow these steps:

1. Select "Tools" > "Internet Options" > "General" again.
2. Under the heading "Temporary Internet files," click on "Delete Cookies..."
3. Click "OK" for the "Delete all cookies in the Temporary Internet Files folder?" prompt.
4. Click "OK" to exit.

If you're using Mozilla Firefox, please follow these steps to delete your cookies:

1. Open Mozilla Firefox.
2. Click on "Tools" > "Options" > "Privacy."
3. Click on "Cookies" > "Clear."
4. Select "OK" to exit.

If you need instructions for a browser other than Microsoft Internet Explorer or Mozilla Firefox, we suggest consulting your browser's online support center.

2. What is iGoogle?

Google offers the ability to create a personalized iGoogle page that gives you at-a-glance access to key information from Google and across the web. On this self-designed page, you can choose and organize content such as:

- your latest Gmail messages
- headlines from Google News and other top news sources
- weather forecasts, stock quotes, and movie showtimes
- bookmarks for quick access to your favorite sites from any computer
- your own section with content you find from across the web

Learn how to create your own iGoogle page.

3. What browsers does iGoogle work with?

iGoogle is compatible with the following browsers:

- IE 5.5+ (Windows)
- Firefox 0.8+ (Windows, Mac, Linux)
- Safari 1.2.4+ (Mac)
- Netscape 7.1+ (Windows, Mac, Linux)
- Mozilla 1.4+ (Windows, Mac, Linux)
- Opera 8+ (Windows, Mac, Linux)

To get the full functionality of iGoogle, we recommend that you have the latest version of your browser. Please note that you'll need to enable JavaScript in order to view and edit your iGoogle page. For instructions on enabling JavaScript, please consult your browser's help pages.

4. How do I personalize iGoogle?

You can personalize your iGoogle page with or without signing in to your Google Account:

Personalize without signing in: Please read our info and instructions for personalizing your iGoogle page without signing in to a Google Account. Keep in mind that your personalized settings will only be available on the computer on which you made them.

Personalize while signed in to your Google Account: If you're using multiple computers or you share a computer with someone else, you may want to sign in to your Google Account before personalizing your iGoogle page. Once you've created a Google Account and are signed in, follow the steps below to personalize your iGoogle page:

1. Visit the Google homepage and click the "iGoogle" link in the top-right corner of the page.

2. Open the iGoogle directory by clicking "Add stuff" in the top-right corner. This will allow you to add gadgets from the directory to your iGoogle page.

3. Once a gadget appears on your iGoogle page, click its downward-facing arrow and select "Edit settings" to adjust the gadget's settings.

4. To move a gadget on your iGoogle page, just click the gadget's blue bar and drag it to your preferred location.

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5. Can I personalize my iGoogle page without signing in?

Yes, you can personalize your iGoogle page without signing in to a Google Account:

1. Click the "Add stuff" link and add content from the directory to your iGoogle page.
2. Once you've added a gadget to your iGoogle page, click its downward-facing arrow and select "Edit settings" to adjust the gadget's settings.
3. Drag and drop gadgets to arrange the page the way you want.

Any changes you make to your iGoogle page while not signed in will be remembered on the computer on which you made them.

To sign in or not to sign in -- differences in your iGoogle experience:

• Signing in to your Google Account allows your settings to be remembered across computers or on a computer where multiple users may make changes. Unless you sign in, your iGoogle page will be available only on that one computer and any changes you make while signed in will not carry over to the signed-out version. Deleting your browser's cookies will also delete settings made while you're not signed in.
• Certain gadgets, such as Gmail, Bookmarks, and Search History, are not available unless you're signed in to the Google Account associated with those services.

6. Can I view my iGoogle page on my mobile phone or device?

Yes. Viewing your iGoogle page with your phone or PDA is an easy way to access your Gmail inbox, news headlines, local weather, stock quotes, and other information you want from across the web. The mobile version of your page is a phone-friendly format that's easy to read and navigate. It displays all the same sections you'd see on your computer, with the exception of certain third-party gadgets, which may require a rich interface. For more information, please visit http://mobile.google.com/personalized/promo.html (in English).

7. How do I use the tabs on my iGoogle page?

When you visit your iGoogle page, you'll see a "Home" tab and an "Add a tab" link on the left side of the page below the Google search box. If you haven't yet added additional tabs, all of your gadgets will appear on the "Home" tab.

You can have up to six tabs on your iGoogle page. To add another tab, simply click on the "Add a tab" link. You can rename a tab by clicking on the tab to bring it into focus, clicking on the tab's existing name, and entering a new name for the tab.

You can add new gadgets to each tab on your iGoogle page or move gadgets from one tab to another. To move a gadget to a different tab, click on the gadget's name and drag it over the name of the tab on which you'd like it to appear. Once your cursor is over the name of the desired tab and that tab's name appears highlighted, release-or drop-the gadget.

To delete a tab, click on the tab to bring it into focus, click on the tab's name, then click on the word "delete" that appears next to the tab's name. Please note that if you delete a tab, you'll also remove any gadgets on that tab. If you'd like to keep any of those gadgets, we suggest you move them to another tab before deleting the unwanted tab.

8. My iGoogle page isn't behaving correctly. What should I do?

If you're experiencing problems with your iGoogle page, here are some steps to try:

CLEAR YOUR BROWSER'S CACHE AND DELETE COOKIES
Clearing your cache and deleting cookies can fix a lot of problems. For instructions, please click here. Note that while deleting your cookies may resolve your problem, it will also remove your saved settings for sites you've previously visited.

DISABLE BROWSER ADD-ONS
If you're using any browser add-on programs, try temporarily disabling these utilities in case one of them is interfering with your iGoogle page. For instructions we suggest you consult your browser's help files.

RE-INSTALL JAVA
It's possible that the Java installation on your computer has spontaneously corrupted (broken). To re-install Java, visit http://www.java.com and click the "Free Java Download" button near the top of the page.

RESET YOUR IGOOGLE PAGE
Resetting your iGoogle page will revert it back to its default configuration, removing any content you've added. Resetting your page is especially handy if you're having trouble removing a particular gadget, or if a gadget is causing your browser to spontaneously shut down as soon as you visit iGoogle.

To reset your iGoogle page, visit http://www.google.com/ig/resetprefs.html and click the "Reset signed-in preferences" button. Note that you'll have to be already signed in for this to work; if you need to sign in before resetting, you can do so at https://www.google.com/accounts/Login

Information in Our Search Results

1. I can't find my favorite site in the search results. How does Google find and add sites to its index?

Google is a fully automated search engine that uses software known as "spiders" to crawl the web on a regular basis, following hyperlinks from page to page to find sites to add to our index. If you'd like more in-depth information on Google's search technology, please check out http://www.google.com/technology/index.html (in English only).

Although Google crawls billions of pages, it's inevitable that some sites will be missed. When Google does miss a site, it's frequently for one of the following reasons:

- The site is not well connected through multiple links to others on the web.
- The site launched after Google's most recent crawl was completed.
- The design of the site makes it difficult for Google to effectively crawl its content.
- The site was temporarily unavailable when we tried to crawl it.

Please note that inclusion in Google's search results is free; we don’t accept payment for inclusion in our index. We believe strongly in allowing the democracy of the web to determine the inclusion and ranking of sites in our search results. If you'd like more information on what we consider acceptable practices for sites in our index, please visit our Webmaster Guidelines (may not be available in your language) at http://www.google.com/support/webmasters/bin/answer.py?answer=35769 (may not be available in your language).

2. How does Google determine which pages return for particular keywords and the order in which they appear?

Sites' positions in our search results are based on a number of factors, which are explained in more detail at http://www.google.com/technology/index.html (in English only). We don't manually assign keywords to sites.

Please be assured that we’re continually working to improve our algorithms to provide the most relevant results for your query.

3. How often does Google crawl the web?

Google's robots crawl the web on a regular cycle indexing billions of webpages. New sites, changes to existing sites, and dead links will all be noted after our next crawl, which will be completed soon. Because we gather so much information during each crawl, the update process is completely automated. We can't make manual changes to individual sites.

4. Does Google ever insert jokes or send messages by changing the order of its results?

No. Occasionally, when a particular website is the subject of public attention, other sites begin linking to it. This may elevate its importance as gauged by our ranking software, which assigns a PageRank value based in part on who links to a given page. Higher ranking in Google results may lead to more awareness, which may lead to more links, and so on.

One side effect of not using an editorial viewpoint to determine the ranking of results is that anomalies occasionally occur. We view such occasions as opportunities for us to learn more about how the web works and how to improve our algorithms for all searches in the future.

5. How can I change the content of a site that appears in Google's search results?

Google aggregates and organizes information published on the web; we don't control the content of these webpages. If you're concerned about the content on a particular page in our search results, we suggest that you directly address the webmaster of the page in question. For more information about our Terms of Service, please visit http://www.google.com/terms_of_service.html

6. Can you remove my information from Google's search results?

We'd like to assist you, but information in our search results is actually located on third-party publicly available webpages. In order to remove your information from our search results, you'll need to contact the webmaster of this third-party site.

Once the webmaster of the non-Google site removes your information or blocks Google from including this page in our index, our search results will automatically reflect this change after we next crawl the page. If the webmaster makes these changes and you need us to expedite the removal of the cached copy, please submit your request using our webpage removal request tool (in English).

7. How do I remove an outdated page?

If a page returns a true 404 error via the http headers, anyone can remove it from the Google index using the webpage removal request tool (in English). Outdated pages that don't return true 404 errors usually fall out of our index naturally when other pages stop linking to them.

For more information about 404 errors, please see http://www.google.com/support/webmasters/bin/answer.py?answer=35307 (may not be available in your language).

8. What should I do if I find my social security or credit card numbers in Google's search results?

We recognize the importance of restricting access to private information, and we consider it a good thing for people to know when their private information is published on the web. If you find a page in our search results that lists your social security, credit card, or bank account numbers, please submit a removal request using our webpage removal request tool (in English). We'll contact the site's hosting company to request that the page be taken down from the web.

As you may know, Google is a reflection of the web. Although we aggregate and organize information published on the web, we don't control the information itself nor do we control access to it. Just because information is removed from Google doesn't mean it's no longer available on the web. Rather, we encourage you to ensure that your private information is removed from the web entirely.

Web Search Troubleshooting

1. How do I delete the drop-down list of my past searches?

You can clear your Google search history from the Google search box, the Google Toolbar, or your browser. We've included instructions for all three methods below. If you aren't sure what box you'd like to clear, click the numbered area below to jump down the page and see the instructions.

	Clearing your browser history

Like your Google search box history, the search history that displays in the address bar on the Google homepage is stored by your browser, not by Google. Instructions appear below for clearing and/or disabling your search history in common browsers. If your browser isn't listed, we suggest consulting its online support center.

Microsoft Internet Explorer

1. Go to the "Tools" menu.
2. Select "Internet Options" and the "General" tab.
3. Click the "Clear History" button. To completely disable the history function, set "Days to keep pages in history" to zero ("0").
4. Click "OK" to exit.

MSN

• If you're using the Microsoft Network (MSN), changes made in Internet Explorer (IE) will take effect in your MSN browser. After making changes in IE, you'll need to sign out of and back into MSN for the changes to take effect.

Mozilla Firefox

1. Go to the "Tools" menu.
2. Select "Options" > "Privacy" > "History."
3. Click on "Clear." To completely disable the history function, set "Remember visited pages for the last X days" to zero ("0").
4. Click "OK" to exit.

Safari

1. Click "History" on the top menu.
2. Click "Clear History" at the bottom of the menu.

	Clearing your Google Toolbar history

To clear your search history from the drop-down text box on the Google Toolbar:

1. Click on the Google logo on the Toolbar to access the drop-down menu.
2. Select the "Clear Search History" option.

If you'd like to completely disable your Toolbar's search history, please click the "Options" button on your Toolbar and un-check the box next to "Drop-down search history."

If you have Google Toolbar 4.0 installed, you can clear your Toolbar's search history by starting to enter a search term in your Toolbar's search box. When your drop-down search history appears, simply click the "Clear History" link.

Please note that this only clears the search history from the Google Toolbar, which is entirely separate from the search history stored by your browser.

If you've followed these steps and information still appears in your Toolbar search box as you type, please see http://www.google.com/support/bin/answer.py?answer=45847 in one of the languages shown at the top of this page for additional assistance.

	Clearing your Google search box history

The search history that displays in the search box on the Google homepage is stored by your browser, not by Google. Instructions appear below for disabling this search history in common browsers. If your browser isn't listed, we suggest consulting its online support center.

Microsoft Internet Explorer

1. Go to the "Tools" menu.
2. Select "Internet Options" and the "Content" tab.
3. Within the "Personal information" area, select "AutoComplete."
4. Click on "Clear Forms." You can also un-check the "Forms" box in this window to keep this information from being stored in the future.
5. Click "OK" to exit.

Alternatively, you can delete individual entries from your search history by using the Down arrow key to highlight a previous search, then pressing the Delete key once.

MSN

• If you're using the Microsoft Network (MSN), changes made in Internet Explorer (IE) will take effect in your MSN browser. After making changes in IE, you'll need to sign out of and back into MSN for the changes to take effect.

Mozilla Firefox

1. Go to the "Tools" menu.
2. Select "Options" > "Privacy" > "Saved Form Information."
3. Click "Clear" and un-check the box.
4. Click "OK" to exit.

Safari

1. Go to the "Safari" menu and select "Preferences."
2. From the menus that pop up, select "Autofill."
3. Go to "Other forms" line and select the "Edit" button.
4. From the list of sites for which AutoFill is currently being applied, select "Google.com" > "Remove" > "Done."

2. How can I fix a technical problem I've recently been experiencing?

Clearing your browser's cache can resolve a number of problems you may be experiencing while using Google or other sites on the web. Below you'll find instructions for clearing your cache in Internet Explorer (IE) 6, IE7, Mozilla Firefox 1.5 and earlier, and Mozilla Firefox 2.0:

IE6:

1. Open IE and click on the "Tools" menu.
2. Select "Internet Options."
3. Click on the "General" tab if it isn't selected already.
4. Under the heading "Temporary Internet files," click "Delete Files..." (Note that it can take up to 30 minutes for your computer to delete your cache history.)
5. Click on "OK."

IE7:

1. Open IE7 and click on the "Tools" menu.
2. Select "Internet Options."
3. Click on the "General" tab if it isn't selected already.
4. Click on the "Delete..." button.
5. Under the heading "Temporary Internet files," click "Delete Files..." (Note that it can take up to 30 minutes for your computer to delete your cache history.)
6. Click "OK" to exit.

Firefox 1.5 or earlier:

1. Open Mozilla Firefox.
2. Click on "Tools" > "Options" > "Privacy."
3. Click "Cache" > "Clear."
4. Select "OK" to exit.

Firefox 2.0:

1. Open Mozilla Firefox.
2. Click on "Tools" > "Options" > "Advanced."
3. Click on the "Network" tab.
4. Under the "Cache" heading, click on the "Clear Now" button.
5. Click "OK" to exit.

If clearing your cache doesn't resolve the problem, you may also want to delete your cookies. (Please note that while deleting your cookies may resolve the problem, it will also remove your saved settings for sites you've previously visited.) To delete your cookies, please follow the steps for your browser:

IE6:

1. Select "Tools" > "Internet Options" > "General" again.
2. Under the heading "Temporary Internet files," click on "Delete Cookies..."
3. Click "OK" for the "Delete all cookies in the Temporary Internet Files folder?" prompt.
4. Click "OK" to exit.

IE7:

1. Click on "Tools" > "Internet Options" > "General" again.
2. Click the "Delete..." button.
3. Under the heading "Cookies," click on "Delete cookies..."
4. Click "Yes" for the "Delete all cookies in the Temporary Internet Files folder?" prompt.
5. Click "Close" to exit.

Firefox 1.5 or earlier:

1. Open Mozilla Firefox.
2. Click on "Tools" > "Options" > "Privacy."
3. Click on "Cookies" > "Clear."
4. Select "OK" to exit.

Firefox 2.0:

1. Click on "Tools" > "Options" > "Privacy."
2. Under the "Private Data" heading, click on the "Clear Now" button.
3. Click "OK" to exit.

If you need instructions for a browser other than Microsoft Internet Explorer or Mozilla Firefox, we suggest consulting your browser's online support center.

3. Why can't I connect to Google? How do I fix this?

If you're having trouble connecting to Google, here are a few things you can try:

- Restart your computer.

- Verify that you're able to reach other sites on the internet. For instance, try connecting to www.netscape.com or www.redhat.com.

- Quit your browser application, launch it again, and then try to connect to www.google.com.

- Clear your browser's cache, and delete your cookies. Note that while deleting your cookies may resolve this problem, it will also remove your saved settings for sites you've previously visited.

- If you're accessing Google from behind a firewall, proxy, or anti-virus program, disable the program and try connecting to Google. If one of these programs is configured incorrectly, it can cause problems when you try to access sites on the internet. If disabling this program resolves the problem, we suggest consulting the program's online support center for assistance.

- If you're on a computer network, can others on your network access Google? If you're at a school or similar type of institution, network security applications may prohibit you from accessing certain sites on the web.

- It's possible that your DNS cache is out of date. You can clear your DNS cache by running the "ipconfig /flushdns" command from MS-DOS. To do so, select "Start" > "Programs" > "Accessories" > "Command Prompt." Type "ipconfig /flushdns" (without the quotes), and press Enter.

- Clearing your host file may solve this problem. If you're running Windows, you have a file called "Hosts" in your C:\WINDOWS directory (for Windows 98) or your C:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers\etc directory (for Windows XP, Windows NT or Windows 2000). If you find an entry for Google, please delete it. Google's IP address changes from time to time, so an outdated IP address cached on your computer can create problems when you try to access Google.

- Do you have the latest version of your browser? If not, downloading it may resolve the problem.

- If you're running Windows, do you have the latest updates and patches from Microsoft? If not, you can get them here: http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com/

- Have you downloaded any free software lately? Malicious software is often bundled with other free downloads without your knowledge. If you suspect this may be the problem, please review our information and instructions for cleaning up your system.

If you still have trouble connecting to Google after following these instructions, please see http://www.google.com/support/bin/answer.py?answer=13216 in one of the languages shown at the top of this page.

4. My computer seems to have a mind of its own: weird toolbars, popups, redirects to strange sites. What's happening?

Odd behaviors such as unwanted redirects, pop-up advertisements, altered Google search results, the addition of unwanted browser toolbars or side-search bars, and slow speeds are common symptoms of malicious software installed on your computer. This software may often be bundled with other free downloads without your knowledge.

We're committed to taking steps to address these attacks on your ability to control your own computer. To learn more about our position, please read our Software Principles at http://www.google.com/corporate/software_principles.html (in English only).

If you think that you have unwanted software installed on your computer, we've suggested some well-known programs below that can detect and remove such applications. Please remember that we have no connection with these companies and can't comment on their effectiveness. We can tell you, though, that trying all of these programs often makes a difference, as does having the latest versions.

Lavasoft Ad-Aware: http://www.lavasoft.com/products/ad-aware_se_personal.php
Spybot Search and Destroy: http://www.safer-networking.org/en/download/index.html
MacScan: http://macscan.securemac.com/download.html (for Mac users)

If these programs don't resolve the problem, please see http://www.google.com/support/bin/answer.py?answer=10366 in one of the languages shown at the top of this page for additional assistance.

If you feel you were deceived when you installed a program that creates popups or modifies your browser, you may want to file a complaint at http://stopbadware.org/home/get_involved (in English only). In addition, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) handles complaints about deceptive or unfair business practices in the U.S.

To file a complaint, visit https://rn.ftc.gov/pls/dod/wsolcq$.startup?Z_ORG_CODE=PU01, call 1-877-FTC-HELP, or write to:

Federal Trade Commission
CRC-240
Washington, D.C. 20580

If your complaint is against a company in a country other than the United States, please file it at http://www.econsumer.gov/

5. What should I do if a site in your search results downloaded malicious programs onto my computer?

1. Remove the malicious programs from your computer: If you're concerned that you've inadvertently acquired some malicious software on your computer, please read our recommendations for cleaning up your system.

2. Report the site:

• Submit a spam report (in English) to tell us about any site that violates our Webmaster Guidelines (including installing unwanted programs on your computer, may not be available in your language). We're sorry that you had a bad experience with a site in our search results, and your report will help us improve the quality of our results. While we don't always take action on individual sites as a result of these reports, please be assured that spam reports are submitted directly to our engineers, who use the information to make large-scale improvements to our system.

• File a complaint with StopBadware.org (in English only) if you feel you were deceived when you installed a program that creates popups or modifies your browser. StopBadware.org provides users with tools and information to help stop the spread and influence of malicious spyware on their computers and the internet.
  

6. Why do some of my search results say "This site may harm your computer?"

We want our users to feel safe when they search the web, and we're continuously working to identify dangerous sites and increase protection for our users. This warning message appears with search results that we've identified as sites that may install malicious software on your computer:

If you click the title of the result, you'll be shown the following warning rather than being taken immediately to the webpage in question:

You can choose to continue on to the site at your own risk. However, please be aware that malicious software is often installed without your knowledge or permission when you visit these sites, and can include programs that delete data on your computer, steal personal information such as passwords and credit card numbers, or alter your search results. For more information on these types of sites, please visit StopBadware.org (in English only).

If one of these sites downloads malicious software onto your computer, please read our additional information about reporting these sites and removing the software from your system.

If you're the administrator of a site we've identified with this warning message, please visit the instructions (may not be available in your language) found in our Webmaster Help Center.