How can one send multiple word OR queries to Google?

Question

I am trying to send Google a search query with several units, some containing more than one word, separated by the boolean operator OR. Usually I'd write: (Oneword, Two words, Something containing four words, anotheroneword, word). However, Google doesn't seem to understand that.

OR or | do work, however the operation is obviously only performed on the words to each side of the operator, making it useless for multiple word queries.

I also tried "First Query" OR "Second Query" yet that seems to bring the exact same results as simply searching for First Query.

Your last statement with "First Query" OR "Second Query" seemingly returning the same results as "First Query", this could be just that "First Query" is a better match, with "Second Query" coming lower down the results. If I search for "cat definition" OR "dog definition", (something possibly equally likely), results from both phrases are returned on the first page of results.

Jin · Answer 1 · 2011-10-04 12:02:43Z

up vote 5 down vote

Extracted from Google's search tips, you can enclose your individual search queries with square brackets and separating them with a OR or | operator.

["Apple Pie"] OR ["Stack Exchange"] OR [Programming]

answered Oct 4 '11 at 12:02

Jin
1612

3

The square brackets are not required in the search terms; the Google help will just use square brackets [ ] to denote queries. Also, according to Google, OR must be all caps. Otherwise, this is the right answer. – Dan Cruz Oct 4 '11 at 12:24

Oops, you're right. Misread on my part. – Jin Oct 4 '11 at 12:28

Quoting terms makes them phrases. The OP wants: (A AND B) OR (C AND D), not "A B" OR "C D" – jontyc Jan 16 at 23:24

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How can one send multiple word OR queries to Google?

migrated from superuser.com Oct 4 '11 at 12:27

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