Top 10 Google Search Tricks And Tips
The unassuming Google search page has so much functionality hidden beneath the single text box and the two buttons. Using the search engine every day does not guarantee knowing all the Google search tricks and tips. Therefore, here is a list of top 10 Google search tricks, collated by Time Magazine, which can be utilised in everyday life to make searching easier, efficient and fun. It is worth noting that, along with the age-old search tricks, there are new tricks as well.
Enclose The Search Query Within Quotes
A good majority of everyday Google users would be cognizant of this trick, where searching a query enclosed in quotes will bring up only those pages with the exact words, following the same order. This feature is extremely helpful in weeding our irrelevant search results, especially when the user exactly knows what he/she is looking for. Example: "Justin Bieber's Twitter Rant"
Flip A Coin Feature
This is one of the new Google search tricks added recently. Upon pressing the mic icon on the Google search bar and by telling Google to "flip a coin" or "heads or tails," the search engine will flip a coin for the user, when there is no real coin handy.
Add Asterisk Enclosed In Quotes In Place Of Unknown/Variable Words
In case, Google search users do not know a particular word or phrase in a search query, replacing the word/phrase with an asterisk, will enable search on all variations of that word/phrase usage. Notably, this feature is very helpful when searching for lyrics of a song. Example: "Who can say where the * goes"
Weed Out Irrelevant Results By Using Minus Sign
This feature is very helpful especially when there is a truckload of results getting displayed for a particular word search. And also, when users exactly know what they want. Say for instance, Apple represents the tech giant as well as a fruit. Hence, readers can eliminate results of the unwanted by saying the following: "Apple -fruit"
Keyword Specific Search For Websites
The feature "site:" can be used to search only a specific website. In case, readers would like to see if the word "Google" was mentioned in Yahoo.com, the Google search query should be "Google site:Yahoo.com."
Comparison
In case, readers could not decide where to go or what to eat, they can just type in "cheese vs. butter." Google search will list out the side-by-side comparisons of the nutritional details like calories, carbohydrates and fats, among others.
Filter
This feature can be used to search for specific or favourite items by customising the search. In case, readers are searching for a favourite food type, upon clicking "Search Tools," located beneath the search bar, readers can filter recipes based on ingredients, cook time, calories and more.
Definition
This Google search trick can be used to learn the definition of anything. Say for example, upon using "DEFINE: mortgage," along with the definition, users will also be shown the etymology and a graph of its use over a period of time. In addition, slangs can also be used along with this search trick.
Tilt
Bored at work? Try this simple Google search trick to tilt the Google search page. Apparently, this was created by Google engineers as part of the fun activities.
Images Search
In case, users stumble upon an old photo, which looks familiar and would like to know the details about the image, this Google search trick is a life saver. Upon saving the photo/image and searching it on the Google Images, the search engine will list down similar images from across the web.
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