[jeffbee]

Query re-write is probably one of the top keys to search quality, at any search engine.

[eastbound]

Is it, though? I reckon it’s commonly accepted. I reckon there are cases that can be highlighted. As I’m sure it’s possible to make the case that some trickle-down policies work. But in the end, plural forms or synonyms do not equate to the original word.

[bloppe]

You can just surround a word with double quotes if you need exact matches. It's nice having synonyms otherwise.

[eitland]

Haven't worked reliably in Google since somewhere around 2012 AFAIK.

Edit: Downvote all you want but this is documented.

[xboxnolifes]

I use it all the time. My biggest issue is I frequently get 0 search results with it on specific searches. It may not always have a result, but I don't get returned results that don't include the quoted portion.

[eitland]

As I write above it doesn't work reliably.

And as I think everyone on HN knows "my Google" isn't "your Google".

Even if it works reliably for you doesn't mean it does for me and many others.

[the-rc]

The problem is that you're assuming search is deterministic.