Are you using google machine the correct way when it comes to searching for stuff? If you’re like me, you are using google daily to search for a variety of things. However, did you know there was a way to use google to find items quicker and easier?
Below are 12 tips to help you use google more efficiently and you can be considered a google expert.
1. Specific Phrase
If you are looking for specific content on social media for example or social media marketing it’s best to use a specific phrase in the search box enclosed with double quotes.
Example: instead of: social media marketing
do this: “social media marketing”
2. Site Specific
There are times you will want to search a specific site for content but the site doesn’t support or contains a built in search feature you can find the information you need by using the following modifier. Use “site: site name.com” modifier
Example: “social media marketing” site:www.mashable.com
3. Exclude Words
If you are searching for content related to social media marketing but don’t necessarily want content that includes the term advertising you can use the “-” in front of the term or word you want to exclude.
Example: social media marketing -advertising
4. Similar Words
If during your search you’d like to include words that are similar or synonyms you can use the following symbol “~” in front of the word.
Example: “social media marketing” ~expert
5. Definitions
Did you know you could find definitions quickly using google search? Simply use the “define:” command.
Example: define:fastidious
6. Document Types
Perhaps you are searching results that are for a specific type, you can use the following modifier “filetype:” For example if you are searching for only Power Point presentations on the topic of social media marketing you would search in the following format.
Example: “social media marketing” filetype:ppt
7. Phone Listings
Ever get those annoying calls on your mobile device and you have no idea who is calling you? Now you can look it up on Google using the phonebook feature.
Example: phonebook:888-967-5309 (input the number that comes up on your phone, this is merely an example)
8. Area Code Lookup
If you are looking wondering where a particular area code is from, simply input the area code and Google will tell you where it’s from
Example: 202
9. This OR That
When you are searching on Google, by default it will include all terms that are specific to the search. If you are searching for more than one term to match you can use the OR operator. Notice that the OR must be capitalized.
Example: social media marketing OR advertising
10. Numeric Ranges
If what you are searching for contains a range of numbers, perhaps years or prices you can search using the following modifier, X..Y This type of search is useful when you are in a need of a series of numbers.
Example: president 1960..1980 (notice there are two periods between the numbers)
11. Calculator
Instead of pulling out your calculator or mobile device for a quick calculation you can use the Google search for your answer.
Example: 7892 * 3.02
12. Stock (Ticker Symbol)
Are you curious how your stocks or current financials are doing? Simply enter a valid ticker symbol as your search term and Google will provide a thumb-nail chart for the stock you are searching.
Example: FB (the ticker symbol for Facebook)
Now you can use the Google search just like a Google expert using the tips provided. Any questions or perhaps tips you can add please let me know.
About Kim
Hi Kim, just read your article.. and if I have describe it in three words, then those would be "Very Useful Tips".
WOW! Thank you, Kim! As always, you share such valuable information. There's a lot here I did not know. It will certainly improve my search results.
Thanks Kim – great info. I didn't know about all those things you can do to help a search – will definitely by using those. Thanks
I had not heard of the "this or that" or the "document types"; I love define and use it frequently. Thanks for the mini-refresher tips.
I bet Kim, people would find this article a lot helpful. So many tips on search practice. I personally asked some of my friends to follow your blog.. There is a lot to learn from you.
I hated Google when I first started in business it was a strange creator lol After I mastered Google my business LEAPED and I fell in love!!!
As always, great info from you, Kim. Definitely these tips will help me improve my search results.
Look what Lorii Abela just posted..6 Tips to Choose the Best Place for the First Date
oh!! I like this, I bet I know more than my son now; he is a great researcher and he knows all these little things…I will tell him a few and see who comes up with the most
Thanks Kim…this is worth printing…
Thank you Kim! These are some of the best time saving tips!!
So many great tips and tools for google. The "document type" search definitely comes in handy. That and the site specific search as well =)
Can't thank you enough for this detailed outline! Just what I needed and as always you over-deliver!! Definitely printing this one! Thanks!
Ooooh, thanks Kim! Some of these I had no idea about!!!
Talk about the APP Highlight video on Mashables.com thanks. Have a Great Weekend. Truly Kate Perry
Thanks Kim, I use Google search every day too, but had no idea that you could do half of these things. This will definitely make my searches more targeted and therefore save me time ~ yeah! You can even use Google search as a calculator, very interesting. Now if they would get a feature that could do my laundry . . .
Look what Jennifer just posted..5 Easy Ways to Build Relationships With Social Media
Really nice post for newbe's and vets alike, I use "+" and "-" a lot but there are some that I was unaware of and some that I have just for gotton about over the years. Thanks for this post, I booked marked it for future reference.