Often maligned, but often helpful, search helps you find things already asked.

- http://meta.stackoverflow.com/questions/9726/how-does-stack-overflow-work-so-well-with-search-engines

##Content copiers and scrapers
If you've seen a question or answer from a Stack Exchange site turn up on another, and it does not follow [the rules of attribution][1], [report that to the high-ranking content copiers list][2].

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

The plus (`+`) 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:

> +donkey +water

For more search tips, visit the [Advanced Ninja Search page][3].


###Powered by  
[Elasticsearch][4] powers the search used on Stack Exchange sites.


  [1]: http://blog.stackoverflow.com/2009/06/attribution-required/ "Attribution Required"
  [2]: http://meta.stackoverflow.com/questions/71820/report-high-google-ranking-se-content-copiers-here "Report high-Google-ranking SE content copiers"
  [3]: http://meta.mathoverflow.net/search#
  [4]: http://www.elasticsearch.org/