search terms

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "search terms" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in the context of online searches, referring to the specific words or phrases that a user inputs into a search engine to find information. Example: "When optimizing your website for SEO, it's important to identify the right search terms that potential customers might use."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Have you tried your search terms there?

The New York Times

Relevance weighting of search terms.

Cornell University

Lesson learned: Watch your search terms.

The New York Times

Both Retriever and Desktop highlight search terms within a document.

The New York Times - Tech

Rather, you must use search terms to query a database.

The New Yorker

Page 2 brought a box for search terms.

The New York Times - Magazine

Thousands of the unauthorized search terms were associated with Americans.

The New Yorker

Defining search terms is how we touch the world.

The Guardian - Tech

Brainstorm search terms.

Forbes

Keyword search terms.

EURASIP Journal on Information Security

Successful SEO campaigns for competitive search terms.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When conducting research, brainstorm a comprehensive list of "search terms" to ensure you capture all relevant information.

Common error

Avoid using overly specific "search terms" initially. Start with broader terms and refine as needed to avoid missing relevant results.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "search terms" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as the object of a verb or preposition. It refers to the specific words or phrases used to perform a search, as demonstrated by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

51%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "search terms" is a grammatically correct and very common noun phrase referring to the words or phrases used in a search query. According to Ludwig, its register is neutral, appearing frequently in News & Media and Science contexts. When crafting your queries, remember to avoid overly narrow terms initially and brainstorm a comprehensive list. Related phrases include "keywords" and "search queries".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

keywords

Focuses on the most important words used for a search.

search keywords

Combines the concepts of 'search' and 'keywords'.

search queries

Emphasizes the form of a question or request in a search.

query terms

Highlights the act of questioning or inquiring.

key phrases

Emphasizes groups of words that are important for a search.

index terms

Relates to terms used for indexing or cataloging information.

search strings

Refers to the sequence of characters used in a search.

lookup keys

Focuses on the terms used to find specific information.

retrieval cues

Highlights terms used to retrieve relevant results.

input terms

Stresses the action of entering terms into a search system.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "search terms" in research?

Start by identifying the main concepts of your research question and then generate a list of related keywords and synonyms to use as your "search terms". Experiment with different combinations to refine your results.

What are some alternatives to "search terms"?

You can use alternatives like "keywords", "search queries", or "query terms" depending on the context.

How do I choose the best "search terms" for my topic?

Consider the audience you're trying to reach and the language they might use. Use a mix of broad and specific terms, and test different combinations to see what yields the most relevant results.

What's the difference between "search terms" and "index terms"?

"Search terms" are what you enter into a search engine, while "index terms" are the terms used to categorize and organize information in a database or index. They're related, but used in different contexts.