Linear search can be used to search for the smallest or largest value in an unsorted list rather than searching for a match. It can do so by keeping track of the largest (or smallest) value and updating as necessary as the algorithm iterates through the dataset.

Create a variable called max_value_index    
Set max_value_index to the index of the first element of the search list
  For each element in the search list
    if element is greater than the element at max_value_index
      Set max_value_index equal to the index of the element
return max_value_index