when using a search engine, what is the name of a word or phrase somebody types to find something online?

The term is "search query." When using a search engine like Google or Bing, the word or phrase someone types into the search box to find information online is called a search query.

Why "Search Query"?

This exact phrasing matches common definitions across SEO and tech resources. A search query can be a single word (e.g., "pizza") or a full phrase/question (e.g., "best pizza near me"). It's what powers results, as engines analyze intent behind it.

Related terms like search term or search phrase are used interchangeably but often refer to components of a query.

Examples in Action

• Typing "electric cars 2026" is a search query exploring current trends.

• Voice searches via Siri count too, interpreting spoken queries.

Quick Tips for Effective Queries

• Use specific phrases for better results (e.g., avoid vague single words).

• Add quotes for exact matches: "Perplexity AI".

• Questions work well: "latest Trump policies" since his 2025 inauguration.

TL;DR: It's a "search query."

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.