AOL Search

Web Search

Web search results are Websites listed in order of relevance, with listings with the highest relevance appearing first. These listings are administered, sorted and maintained by Google. These results may contain objectionable material not endorsed by AOL. For information on how Google sorts these listings, go to About Google.

Image Search

Image search results are sorted by relevance, with the most relevant images appearing first. These listings are administered, sorted, and maintained by Google. Google considers a number of factors when determining whether an image is relevant to your search request. Because these methods are not entirely foolproof, it's possible some inappropriate pictures may be included among the images you see.

AOL® image search uses a mature content filter called SafeSearch by default. You can change the SafeSearch settings by going to the Settings page. The SafeSearch filter removes many adult images but it can't guarantee that all such content will be filtered out.

Video Search

Video search results include multimedia streams and files (Real Media™, Windows® Media, QuickTime®, MP3 and Flash) from the Web sorted by relevance. Video search results are powered by Blinkx®. For more information about technologies, policies or to submit your videos for inclusion, visit Blinkx.com.

AOL Network Search

AOL Network Search results are from select AOL owned Websites, with the most relevant listings appearing first. These listings are powered by Google's Custom Search Engine (CSE).

News Search

News search results include news articles from an extensive database of news and multimedia content from news providers such as Associated Press®, Reuters®, CNN®, People® Magazine and Fortune®. The articles that are presented come from all the providers and sources offered on AOL® News.

Shopping Search

Shopping Search results are powered by PriceGrabber®, and are drawn from across the Web. PriceGrabber displays both paid and algorithmic results including product information, prices, product ratings and links to the various merchant sites. Paid results are administered, sorted and maintained by PriceGrabber.

MapQuest

MapQuest Search results are powered by MapQuest to help people find places and get there. Use MapQuest for driving directions and maps. See local traffic and road conditions, find nearby businesses and restaurants, plus explore street maps and satellite photos.

Advertisement

An Advertisement, identified in other contexts as a "trademark layer" or "sponsored one click," is a paid placement appearing on specific search terms that have been purchased by companies or placements for which AOL is paid when the placements are clicked. AOL may opt to incorporate 3rd party sponsors. Sponsored content is provided by third parties and not endorsed by AOL.

Sponsored Links/Ads

Sponsored links, which may also be called "ads" that appear in AOL Search results or on AOL channels are listings that have been purchased by companies to have their businesses or Web sites appear for specific search terms related to their services. Sponsored links, also sometimes referred to as pay-per-click ads or just ads, are administered, sorted and maintained by Google and AOL. For more information on how pay-per-click ads work and how to sign up, go to AOL Search Marketplace.

Web Offers and More

Web Offers and More are listings that display offers related to the search terms you enter. These sponsored link listings are maintained by third parties and not endorsed by AOL.

Paid Adult Links

Paid adult links are listings that have been purchased by companies that want to have their businesses or sites appear for specific search terms. These pay-per-click ads are administered, sorted and maintained by a third party and not endorsed by AOL.

You can use the Advanced Search feature to get more precise results or control over the results:

• Include or exclude specific words in your search results.
• Specify language of sites that you would like to see in your search results.
• Specify file format, such as PDF, Word, Excel or Shockwave Flash.
• Sites with specific numeric range.
• Search for keywords that you're searching for anywhere on the page, such as in the title, text, URL or links.
• Include or exclude specific Websites or domains in your search results.
• Filter search results based on usage rights.
• Filter search results using SafeSearch.

Domain Specific Search

You can specify your search within a specific domain name only. For example, if you're looking for information on the musician John Mayer on music.aol.com, type John Mayer in the Find Results field and music.aol.com in the Domain field on the Advanced Search page.

You can also specify a domain that you want to exclude from your search. Instead of selecting "only" in the drop down menu, select "Don't."

This domain specific search feature is also available without going to the Advanced Search page. Just enter the search term followed by site:domain (no space between site: and domain) on AOL Search home page or search results pages. For example, to search for John Mayer on music.aol.com only, enter John Mayer site:music.aol.com in the search box.

Usage rights

You can use the usage rights feature to find content that you can share or modify, such as for music, images and movies. If you leave the filter as "not filtered by license," then you'll get search results regardless of the rights.

The usage rights filter is based on Creative Commons license. Before using, sharing or modifying the content, verify license rights on Creative Commons website.

You can filter by usage rights for results that are:

• Free to use or share.
• Free to use or share, even commercially.
• Free to use, share or modify.
• Free to use, share or modify, even commercially.

Featured Results

For some searches results from AOL sites or partners are returned along with the Web Search results. On one page you get comprehensive web results from Google along with One Click access to relevant videos, pictures, local maps, news, stock quotes and more.

SafeSearch

The optional SafeSearch feature automatically filters out adult sites with explicit content. You can find your SafeSearch status right below the AOL Search box, or go to settings.

Settings

You can update your AOL Search settings to turn on or turn off your Search History and Safe Search. You can also update your location management for local searches.

Help

Clicking on Help  will take you to AOL Search Help. Find more information about AOL Search features and tools.

Search Tips

Keep up with tips and advice from the AOL Search team on how to best use our search engine to find what you're looking for. Visit the Search Tips page to get started on your way to being a better searcher.

Search History

The Search History feature keeps track of your searches for the last 30 days, making it easy to get back to your previous search results. You can also see the search results that you clicked on. To view your Search History, click on the Search History link on the the AOL Search page. The Search History feature is only available when you are signed in, and AOL Search will only display Search History for searches done while signed in. If you would like to see Search History, please sign in using the link at the upper right corner of this page.

Search Suggestions

Search Suggestions help you save time by quickly getting you to the search term you want. Suggestions are driven by what you type and are based on overall search term popularity. If you would prefer to not be presented these suggestions please visit our Search Settings  page to turn off Search Suggestions.

Calculator

The calculator helps you save time in finding the answers you need. Simply enter the calculation you'd like done into the search box and hit the Enter key or click on the Search button. The calculator can solve math problems involving basic arithmetic, more complicated math, units of measure and conversions, along with other common "calculator" functions. Click here to see an example: how many ounces are in a pint .

AOL® Mobile Search is for people on the go. We provide a variety of relevant results from leading AOL brands like CityGuide, MapQuest® and Moviefone®, along with up-to-date news, stock quotes and more all on one easy-to-use page tailored for your phone. Go to search.aol.com on your iPhone, Blackberry, Windows Mobile or other wireless phone.

We have also built our own mobile index to help users find the information they're looking for. To submit your domain to the Mobile Index go to our URL submission page .

AOL Toolbar

AOL Search toolbar allows users to quickly search the Web, block unwanted pop-ups and have easy access to their AOL or AIM® mail. To learn more and download go to Toolbar.AOL.com .

Add AOL Search to Your Browser

Easily add AOL Search for fast searching within your Mozilla Firefox and Internet Explorer 7 browsers. Learn more .

AOL Search Help main page
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