Web search query

A web search query is a query based on a specific search term that a user enters into a web search engine to satisfy his or her information needs. Web search queries are distinctive in that they are often plain text or hypertext with optional search-directives (such as 'and'/'or' with '-' to exclude). They vary greatly from standard query languages, which are governed by strict syntax rules as command languages with keyword or positional parameters. A web search query is a query based on a specific search term that a user enters into a web search engine to satisfy his or her information needs. Web search queries are distinctive in that they are often plain text or hypertext with optional search-directives (such as 'and'/'or' with '-' to exclude). They vary greatly from standard query languages, which are governed by strict syntax rules as command languages with keyword or positional parameters. There are three broad categories that cover most web search queries: informational, navigational, and transactional. These are also called 'do, know, go.' Although this model of searching was not theoretically derived, the classification has been empirically validated with actual search engine queries.