15. Search Through Google Groups

BEFORE YOU BEGIN	SEE ALSO
Perform a Basic Google Search Perform an Advanced Google Search Browse Through Google Groups	Participate in Google Group Discussions

One of the best reasons for using Google Groups to access Usenet discussions is that you can use all of Google's searching power to find the discussion and messages you want. Here's how to do it.

Search for a Message

The search box at the top of any Google Groups screen enables you to search for individual messages and groups. Type your search term or terms just as you would normally in Google. You'll find the groups, message, or messages that match your search terms.

Browse Messages

The search results display groups or individual messages that match your search term or terms. For each message, you'll see the subject line; the first several lines of the message; the time, date, and author of the message; and the group in which the message appeared. Click any message to read it.

Search for a Group

You might be interested in finding a group that matches your interest, not just an individual message. To search for a group, go to the main Google Groups page by clicking the Google Groups logo on any page, type your search term or terms in the Find groups box, and click the Group lookup button.

Browse Groups

The search results display all the groups that match your search term or terms. For each group, you see the group name, description, category, and typewhether it's a public group in which anyone can participate or a private group in which only members can participate.

To visit the group, click the group name. If you prefer to read only matching message within that group, click the Show matching messages from this group link next to the group's name.

Do an Advanced Search

Google Groups' advanced search enables you to easily narrow your search. Click the Advanced Group Search link next to the search box at the top of any Google Groups page to do an advanced search.

The Find messages section works like most Google advanced search pages, and it enables you to enter specific search terms and how to use them. For more details, see Perform an Advanced Google Search.

The rest of the page enables you to search by group name, subject, author of the message, date, and by language. You can also specify whether to use SafeSearch, which filters out objectionable language and content.