How To Search Google Like An Expert: 10 Quick Tips
When searching for information on the Internet, many people simply enter a search term in Google and keep changing it until they eventually find a suitable website. I'm here to tell you there are techniques you can apply to save time and find better information.
Most of them are quick and relatively easy to use. After you learn to apply these expert search tips, useful and relevant links will appear on the first page of Google faster and with less effort, so here they are...
1. Exact Phrases
To search for specific sentences or phrases, put quotes around them. Google will prioritize search results that contain the quoted words in the same order. This tip proves very useful when searching for specific model names or book titles.
Example: "Adaptive web design" book
2. Exclude Words
You can refine your searches by entering certain symbols directly before specific words. A minus symbol (-) will exclude a word from results and a tilde (~) will instruct Google to find results with similar words in them.
Example: "Google ranking" -Adwords
3. Filters
Google offers several filters that automatically find certain types of content. To limit your search to things like maps, products or news, use the links on the sidebar to the left of the search results. Click "More" to see options like "Blogs" and "Recipes."
4. Search Tools
The same sidebar has a "Show search tools" link; click it to reveal some additional options. One function lets you restrict results by the date of publication. For example, you could choose to only view information about "link building" that has been published during the past month.
5. Number Ranges
You may also search for webpages that refer to numbers in a certain range, such as years. Just enter two four-digit years with two periods in between them.
Example: "computers 1978..1983"
6. File Type
Another search modifier allows you to restrict results to a specific type of file. To use it, add "filetype:" and a file extension to your search.
Example: Sharp EL-6750 manual filetype:pdf
7. Logic Operators
Don't bother using the plus symbol or the "AND" operator on Google; it automatically uses them. To make an exception to this, put "OR" between a set of two words.
Example:"website design Melbourne OR Geelong"
8. Dictionary Definitions
Wondering exactly what a word means? Just enter "define:" followed by the word.
Example: define:blog
9. Calculator
If you need to do some quick calculations Google will display the results in the search window. You can use all the common operators +-*/ and brackets ().
Example: (1024 - 64)*4
10. Specific Website
Our final expert search tip enables you to find pages on a specific website. At the end of your Google search query, add "site:" and a domain name.
Example: thunderstorms site:bom.gov.au
Hopefully a few of these tips will help you get even more use from Google. Have some tips of your own? Please share them in the comments below.
Would you like to write a guest post for our Online Business Blog?
We are happy to publish unique articles which provide valuable advice and information to our readers. Grow your audience and get backlinks from a PR5 website, learn more about our guest post opportunities.
Please wait...- Business Blogs ( 4 )
- Business Logo Design ( 7 )
- Business Websites ( 12 )
- eCommerce Website Design ( 3 )
- Google SEO ( 15 )
- Local SEO ( 3 )
- Online Business Tips ( 7 )
- Social Media for Business ( 7 )
- Website Content ( 2 )
- Website Redesign ( 3 )
Typically 10+ pages detailing how we create your online business, so you know exactly what your getting!
