QuertweetThe X search cookbook

Chapter 11 · 6 recipes

Tutorials and resources: X search recipes

Tutorials, free courses, book lists, talks and explainers with diagrams that other people found worth sharing.

Chapter notes

X is a decent search engine for learning material, because people share the tutorial that finally made something click. Engagement filters help here too, since a guide that 50 people liked has been read by more than one person.

Most recipes require filter:links, because a resource is usually a link to a course, a video or a repo. The diagram recipe uses filter:images instead, which surfaces cheat sheets and annotated screenshots. Swap the topic for something specific: "Python decorators" gives you better results than "Python".

Check dates before you commit an afternoon to a tutorial. Tools change, and a five-year-old guide may teach an approach that no longer works. Adding since: with a date from the last year or two is an easy fix.

The recipes

11.1

Tutorials people liked

Links to guides that at least 50 people found worth liking.

Fill in

"Python" (tutorial OR guide OR "how to") filter:links min_faves:50
Open on X (Top)
What each part does
"[topic]"
Your topic, in quotes so a multi-word value is matched as one phrase.
(tutorial OR guide OR "how to")
Any one of these is enough: tutorial, guide, "how to". OR has to be written in capitals.
filter:links
Keeps only posts that contain a link.
min_faves:50
At least 50 likes. The operator keeps Twitter's old name for likes. Large counts are approximate.
11.2

Free courses and ebooks

Free material. Check the link goes where it claims before you sign up for anything.

Fill in

"Python" ("free course" OR "free ebook" OR "free resources") filter:links
Open on X (Latest)
What each part does
"[topic]"
Your topic, in quotes so a multi-word value is matched as one phrase.
("free course" OR "free ebook" OR "free resources")
Any one of these is enough: "free course", "free ebook", "free resources". OR has to be written in capitals.
filter:links
Keeps only posts that contain a link.
11.3

Podcasts and recorded talks

Long-form listening on your topic.

Fill in

"Python" (podcast OR "conference talk" OR "watch the talk") filter:links
Open on X (Top)
What each part does
"[topic]"
Your topic, in quotes so a multi-word value is matched as one phrase.
(podcast OR "conference talk" OR "watch the talk")
Any one of these is enough: podcast, "conference talk", "watch the talk". OR has to be written in capitals.
filter:links
Keeps only posts that contain a link.
11.4

Book recommendations

Reading lists and the replies that add to them.

Fill in

"Python" ("book recommendations" OR "best books on" OR "must-read")
Open on X (Top)
What each part does
"[topic]"
Your topic, in quotes so a multi-word value is matched as one phrase.
("book recommendations" OR "best books on" OR "must-read")
Any one of these is enough: "book recommendations", "best books on", "must-read". OR has to be written in capitals.
11.5

Lessons from people who did it

Experience posts. Often the best summary of a skill you'll find anywhere.

Fill in

"Python" ("I learned" OR lessons OR "what I wish") min_faves:200 -filter:replies
Open on X (Top)
What each part does
"[topic]"
Your topic, in quotes so a multi-word value is matched as one phrase.
("I learned" OR lessons OR "what I wish")
Any one of these is enough: "I learned", lessons, "what I wish". OR has to be written in capitals.
min_faves:200
At least 200 likes. The operator keeps Twitter's old name for likes. Large counts are approximate.
-filter:replies
Removes replies.
11.6

Cheat sheets and diagrams

Visual explainers. Save the ones you like with X's bookmark button.

Fill in

"Python" (explained OR diagram OR "cheat sheet") filter:images min_faves:50
Open on X (Top)
What each part does
"[topic]"
Your topic, in quotes so a multi-word value is matched as one phrase.
(explained OR diagram OR "cheat sheet")
Any one of these is enough: explained, diagram, "cheat sheet". OR has to be written in capitals.
filter:images
Keeps only posts with an image.
min_faves:50
At least 50 likes. The operator keeps Twitter's old name for likes. Large counts are approximate.

More chapters

  1. 1 Job posts
  2. 2 Leads asking for recommendations
  3. 3 Customer complaints
  4. 4 Local events
  5. 5 Giveaways and contests
  6. 6 Research quotes
  7. 7 News from verified sources
  8. 8 Questions in your niche
  9. 9 Brand mentions and feedback
  10. 10 Content ideas

New to the operators? Read X search operators, explained. All 71 recipes are also on the home page, where you can filter them and save favorites.