Having trouble? Here are some helpful suggestions:

• Check your spelling. Avoid unnecessary punctuation, and make sure there are spaces between words.
  
  
• Refine your search by adding more search terms. If searching using a single word yields too many unrelated topics, try adding another word or two.
  
  
• Simplify the words. Try using synonyms, common language or even everyday slang.
  
  
• Be less specific. If you're not getting enough results, try starting your search with more general language. For example, search for Canon camera  instead of a specific model number.
  
  
• Search for an exact phrase. When you are looking for something that is commonly described in a multiple word phrase, try putting double quotes around the phrase in your search. For example, to search for information about the city San Diego, you might try searching using "San Diego". Or if the Exact Match option is available use that.
  
  
• Include or exclude specific words. You can use the plus (+) to include specific words and the minus sign to (-) exclude specific words. For example, if you want to search for information on video games but not casino games, you could search for video games -casino  Conversely, if you want to search for information specifically on casino video games, one way to narrow down your search is to require the word casino and search for video games +casino.
  
  One note about plus/minus signs: These must be placed immediately before the word or phrase you wish to include or exclude. For example,
  video games -casino, not video games - casino
  
  
• You don't need to ask a question. You can ask About's search engine a question, but it isn't necessary. For example, asking how do I make bbq sauce?  will yield good results, but typing bbq sauce recipe  in the search field will garner even better search matches. Again, using fewer, more specific words will usually always make your searches more successful.
  
  

Some common questions:

• How do I submit a link to About?
  
  1. Find the most appropriate topic site and submit via a friendly email to that site's guide.
     
  2. Please include the URL and a brief, simple description (25 words or less). Please no marketing messages but rather information to help the guide understand your page.
     
  3. The guide will decide if they wish to include the link on their topic site and all descriptions are subject to the guide's editorial discretion.
     
  4. Remember you are submitting to a human being - be nice.