<p>Often maligned, but often helpful, search helps you find things already asked.</p>

<ul>
<li><a href="http://meta.stackexchange.com/questions/9726/how-does-stack-overflow-work-so-well-with-search-engines">How does Stack Overflow work so well with search engines?</a></li>
</ul>

<h2>Content copiers and scrapers</h2>

<p>If you've seen a question or answer from a Stack Exchange site turn up on another, and it does not follow <a href="http://blog.stackoverflow.com/2009/06/attribution-required/" title="Attribution Required">the rules of attribution</a>, <a href="http://meta.stackexchange.com/questions/71820/report-high-google-ranking-se-content-copiers-here" title="Report high-Google-ranking SE content copiers">report that to the high-ranking content copiers list</a>.</p>

<h2>Usage</h2>

<p>For a glance at if your question has already been asked (and most likely it has) be sure to make use of the search. </p>

<p>The plus (<code>+</code>) modifier works well here in refining your results. For example, you have a question about a donkey and fetching water. The search you start could be something like:</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>+donkey +water</p>
</blockquote>

<p>For more search tips, visit the <a href="http://meta.mathoverflow.net/search#">Advanced Ninja Search page</a>.</p>

<h3>Powered by</h3>

<p><a href="http://www.elasticsearch.org/" rel="nofollow">Elasticsearch</a> powers the search used on Stack Exchange sites.</p>