Google accounts for 86 percent(Opens in a new window) of all web searches performed worldwide, and because of the widespread use of smartphones, anybody can do a search from any location as long as they have access to the internet. This indicates that Google processes a few billion queries every day(Opens in a new window).
It’s simple to take for granted the benefits of a contemporary online search, but it’s surprising how easy Google has made using the internet. In addition to many other things, Google can provide you with directions and translate many languages. When was the last time you got into a disagreement with friends and didn’t look it up on Google search tips?
Even if you use Google frequently, there are probably still many things about the search engine that you don’t know. The hints below can help you obtain better results while Googling whether you’ve ever struggled to find what you’re looking for or just want to learn a few insider techniques.
1. Use operators to narrow down your searches
Even when you aren’t precisely sure yourself, Google’s search algorithm is extremely good at providing the data you are looking for. But if Google doesn’t appear to be providing you with what you need, there are a few methods you may use so-called operators to focus your search results.
Use quote marks (“”) to find the precise wording: All of those terms will appear in search results for Patrick Stewart young, however, they may not appear in the exact order you searched for them. When searching for “Patrick Stewart Young” with quotation marks, you will only see results that include all those terms in that specific sequence.
In order to locate synonyms, add a tilde () before the word: for when you want to look for a word’s synonyms as well as any other possible matches. Search results for “iPhone cheap” will also include “iPhone affordable,” and so on.
Terms containing the negative (-) sign are not included: Use the minus sign to exclude any phrases you don’t want to appear in the results, such as best apps -android to avoid lists of the best Android applications.
To find a range, use two periods (..) between the numbers: Use two periods between the numbers to limit results to a date or price range. If you’re looking for a computer in a specific price range, you may search for a $500–$900 computer to only see items that fall inside that range.
Find one result or the other with OR: Use the OR modifier to get more precise results if you’re seeking results that are only about one topic or the other. For instance, searching “apple OR Microsoft” gives you different links concerning Apple and Microsoft whereas searching “apple Microsoft” returns results related to either phrase.
To search a single website, add site: Utilize site: followed immediately by the URL of the website you want to use if you just want results from that one particular website. Google Photos Tips site:pcmag.com is required; you cannot use Google Photos Tips site:techjazzup.com
Use filetype: to limit your search to upload files that correspond to your criteria if you’re searching the internet for a certain type of file. Use filetype: pdf, for instance, to locate a PDF, or filetype: doc, for a Microsoft Office document. Here is a complete list of file kinds that may be searched (Opens in a new window).
Use the related: qualifier to show results that are connected to your search for related websites. Results for the search related:amazon.com include Walmart and Overstock. Related:google.com searches turn up Yahoo and Bing results.
2. Make use of the advanced search
Want to avoid learning all of these modifiers? They can be utilized in a Google advanced search. To access a new advanced search page, click the gear symbol on the Google results page and select “Advanced search.”
Instead of depending solely on particular modifiers, this feature enables you to add keywords or phrases in designated areas. Language, region, last update, domain, term location, explicit content, file type, and use right may all be used to further refine the results. Image size, aspect ratio, color, and image type may all be used to refine image searches.
On a mobile device, you may refine your picture search but not do an advanced search. To refine your picture search by most recent, GIF, HD, product photos, color, and use rights, tap the slider icon at the top of the page.
3. Establish Time Limits
Searching for material that is just current or that pertains to a particular time period? To refine your search results, use Google’s features on desktop and mobile devices. On the desktop, choose the magnifying glass icon, then select Tools. Select Search tools by swiping down from the list of Google search options on a mobile device.
Open a drop-down box by selecting Any time to help you focus your search on the last hour, 24 hours, week, month, or year. Desktop users can input particular dates by selecting a Custom range.
4. Use the Reverse Image Search function.
On the majority of browsers, Google enables “backward” picture searches. You may submit an image file and search for details about it using this feature. For instance, if you submit a photo of the Eiffel Tower, Google will identify it and provide you with details on the Parisian landmark. It also works with faces, and it may show you pictures that are “visually similar” or point you toward websites where the image is found.
Simply drag and drop a picture into the search bar on Google Images. To upload a picture or input an image’s URL, you may also click the camera icon. (How to perform a reverse picture search on your phone is shown here.)
5. Dark Mode Search on Google
Google now offers a dark mode setting that will make your search results completely black. On a desktop search results page, click the Settings gear in the upper right and choose Dark Theme from the Appearance menu. You may also pick Device default to have it match your other theme choices (on Google.com, click Settings in the bottom right and select Search Settings > Appearance > Dark theme).
Toggle the dark theme on and off on mobile devices by selecting the hamburger menu in the top-left corner of Google’s search results.
