Many millions of people worldwide rely on Google as their search engine of choice. However, with over 3 billion pages to search through, the results can often be overwhelming. Here are my top seven tips for searching more effectively using Google.
- 1. Search for a whole phrase. By simply putting the words you are looking for within a “…” Google will restrict its search to sites which use that phrase in its entirety. For example, if you searched for Big Blue House, Google would return any pages which featured those three words. By searching for “Big Blue House” it will only return pages which include that exact phrase.
- 2. Definitions. By using the term “define:” Google will return a number of definitions and links for your selected word.
- 3. Calculator. Google will perform simple arithmetic through its search bar by using “+ – * /” and parentheses.
- 4. Unit Conversions. By typing the information into the search bar Google will perform conversions for you – anything from kilos to pounds or from dollars to yen.
- 5. Wildcard. The * works as a wildcard in Google. If you have a phrase and you are missing one word you can replace it with the * and Google will return options for you. This is particularly useful when searching for song lyrics you are not entirely sure of.
- 6. Synonyms. By using the ~ symbol (the “tilde”) before a word Google will not only search for that word but also its synonyms. If you were to search for “~kids beds” for example, Google would return results for both “kids beds” and “childrens beds”.
- 7. Advanced search. If you can’t remember these shortcuts or need additional refinements then simply use Google’s “advanced search” option.
With so many pages available, these various clever shortcuts will help you refine your search. Google can help you find answers to life, the universe and everything you ask about…!