What is a valid search when using toolbar?

[bostonphil]

I am better understanding how the searches work. But now I have a question about what is a valid search? I have earned 11 cents for January, thus far.  But I feel that I could do better if I understood what a valid search is compared to a search that is not valid.

I have received the message "invalid search" and then "learn why". But I find the explanation vague. And I do not find any explanation as to what a valid search is.   

[rbudovec1947]

Good question, bostonphil. I generally search for items related to current events in the news or topics of interest to me. As long as you're using a phrase or a short sentence, not just a single word in your searches, the automated system seems to accept most searches without issue. Of course, I can only speak for myself. I've received my nickel each day so far without a hassle. Goes without saying that you want to use Yahoo exclusively for your searches. I've made Yahoo my homepage for this reason. Let me know if your results improve. 

[bostonphil]

Thanks for your feedback. I am obviously doing something wrong. I will take your suggestions and see if there is any improvement. My best success seems to be when I search for a website like abc news. I search more than once every single day and stil, have only earned 11 cents thus far in January.  

[jkhanson]

I don't know what I am doing wrong with the Toolbar.

I used to get credit, but for a week I have only gotten INVALID.

I used the toolbar to find out How to Uninstall toolbars -- invalid search.  I used the search info and successfully uninstalled the toolbar.  I reinstalled it but still get INVALID Searches.

I am using Firefox.

Do you think it will change if I use IE?

[skippymcnapper]

I don't know what I am doing wrong with the Toolbar.

I used to get credit, but for a week I have only gotten INVALID.

I used the toolbar to find out How to Uninstall toolbars -- invalid search.  I used the search info and successfully uninstalled the toolbar.  I reinstalled it but still get INVALID Searches.

I am using Firefox.

Do you think it will change if I use IE?

Not to poke fun at your situation, but it's a bit funny that "how to uninstall toolbars" was an invalid search. They don't want you to know that info!

[ptfunds]

I use Firefox and am having no trouble with it. I've been using the new toolbar since they established it last month. I have gotten invalid searches and usually it is because I have repeated a search or my search terms are too similar too the prior ones. Sometimes I will tweak a search a few times until I get exactly what I want. And sometimes depending on how much I change the search will be valid or not.  Looking forward to seeing other patterns people have seen as we are all learning the personality of the new tool bar. Thanks for your topic!

[bearjake]

GOOD TO KNOW ABOUT WHAT A VALID SEARCH IS. I HAVE 9 SEARCHES ON MY TOOL BAR AND MADE 1 CENT. 5 CENTS A DAY ADDS UP WHEN THEIR ARE NO MORE FREE SIGN UPS TO DO. IM DONE SPENDING SO MUCH TIME WITH THESE SURVEYS AND NOT GETTING CREDIT. I KNOW I DEFINITLY COMPLETED 2 OF THEM AND NO CREDIT!

[bostonphil]

Finally, I have figured out and now understand how to search and get my reward.      It is real simple.  What I am doing is keeping my searches simple. For instance, I am planning some short trips in the next couple of years. So I have been searching different cities that I might like to go to. Nothing fancy. Just the name of the city. And I do four different cities. And I get my one cent.

I also have reason to search for different persons. And I searched four different persons whom I have an interest in knowing more about or contacting. Again, nothing fancy. Just the name of the persons. I did that four separate times and got my one cent.

Searches come in groups of four. At the end of the fourth search, you will get a message telling you that your search is valid and earn one cent or you will get a message telling you that your search is invalid and not get the one cent. But I have started getting my one cent every time I complete four searches. 

[alw3610]

Up until tonight I have been missing out on the benefits of the new toolbar feature. I just thought that it wasn't working for me, until I read the post in this thread and all the tips that have been given on how to use it and make it work properly. The advice offered here worked PERFECTLY and now I am able to add more to my daily cash out total. Thanks guys! I love the forum.

[bostonphil]

Between tips and suggestions from Administrator and FC members, I now actually understand how the search works and what a valid search is. It seems so easy now that I have learned. I ask myself why was I having so much trouble.

That's among the reasons this forum is so great. 

[gafee2001]

I have gotten invalid searches and usually it is because I have repeated a search or my search terms are too similar too the prior ones.

This is most likely to be correct. To solve this issue, you can add additional words to your search. For example, if you want to search facebook,you can search for "facebook main page login" and you're more likely to get a successful search.

[Darekatie]

Finally, I have figured out and now understand how to search and get my reward.      It is real simple.  What I am doing is keeping my searches simple. For instance, I am planning some short trips in the next couple of years. So I have been searching different cities that I might like to go to. Nothing fancy. Just the name of the city. And I do four different cities. And I get my one cent.

I also have reason to search for different persons. And I searched four different persons whom I have an interest in knowing more about or contacting. Again, nothing fancy. Just the name of the persons. I did that four separate times and got my one cent.

Searches come in groups of four. At the end of the fourth search, you will get a message telling you that your search is valid and earn one cent or you will get a message telling you that your search is invalid and not get the one cent. But I have started getting my one cent every time I complete four searches. 

Thanks soo much for answering your own question  I've been wondering the same thing and now I know 

[blackish0t]

Same here! I know that sometimes when you look for websites or something thats simple to find without searching it (ie. facebook, youtube, etc) that it is an invalid search too

[TOMAS7]

If you do not get credited, you may need to clear your cache or clean up your cookies, if that doesn't work I would try to uninstall and then re install the tool bar and see if that fixes the issue. Also use the search feature in the forums to check for other strings that discuss valid searches and/ or tool bar search. Good luck

[kords21]

This thread has certainly increased my understanding of how to get credit using the search engine. Kudos to all the other posters in this thread.