Guides

How to do a patent search yourself: step-by-step

1. Write your invention as 3-5 features. One sentence each.
2. Brainstorm synonyms for each feature (patents use odd words: "receptacle", "elongate member").
3. Search Google Patents combining 2-3 features at a time.
4. Find the CPC class of the best hits and browse it.
5. Read claim 1 and the figures of the closest 10-20.
6. Chart each reference against your features: has it / partly / no.

Our report automates steps 2-6 across 9.7M patent families and gives you the chart with quoted text, so you can check it yourself.

More guides

• Is my invention already patented? How to check (2026)
• How much does a prior art search cost? 2026 price guide
• Should you do a patent search before filing? Yes — here is why
• Patent search before a provisional patent application
• Free patent search vs paid prior art report: what’s the difference?
• Can I sell a product without a patent? (and the risk to check first)