If you’re like me, you probably use Google many times a day. If your current use of Google is limited to typing a few words in, and changing your query until you find what you’re looking for, then I’m here to tell you that there’s a better way – and it’s not hard to learn.
Quotes
If you want to search for an exact phrase, use quotes. This will find pages that contain the exact words that comes under quotes( " " ).
Example: "Global Data"
Synonym Search
If you want to search not only for your search term but also for its synonyms, place the tilde sign (~) immediately in front of your search term.
Example: ~Global Data
Dictionary Definitions
To see a definition for a word or phrase, simply type the word "define" then a space, then the word(s) you want defined. To see a list of different definitions from various online sources, you can type "define:" followed by a word or phrase. Note that the results will define the entire phrase.
Example: define:Global Data
Example: define Global Data
Site Specific Search
Often, you want to search a specific website for content that matches a certain phrase. Even if the site doesn’t support a built-in search feature, you can use Google to search the site for your term. Just type "site:" followed by a website url.
Example: site:globaldata.blogspot.com
Specific Document Types:
If you’re looking to find results that are of a specific type, you can use the modifier "filetype:". For example, you might want to find only PDF files, then use:
Example: filetype:pdf
This OR That:
Related Search
Calculator
This OR That:
By default, when you do a search, Google will include all the terms specified in the search. If you are looking for any one of one or more terms to match, then you can use the OR operator. (Note: The OR has to be capitalized).
Example: Global OR Data
To search for web pages that have similar content to a given site, type "related:" followed by the website address into the Google search box.
Example: related:Global Data
To use Google's built-in calculator function, simply enter the calculation you'd like to do into the search box.
Example: 9*4.15
Example: 5!
Vertical search
Instead of searching for a term across all pages on the web, search within a specialized field. Google has a number of specific searches, allowing you to search within blogs, news, books, and much more:
Blog Search
Book Search
Scholar
Catalogs
Code Search
Directory
Finance
Images
Local/Maps
News
Patent Search
Product Search
Video
Vertical search
Instead of searching for a term across all pages on the web, search within a specialized field. Google has a number of specific searches, allowing you to search within blogs, news, books, and much more:
