If you’re like any one of us, you spend a lot of time online. And, a lot of that time? Well, we share it with Google…
It stands to reason that you could stand to learn a few of the Google shortcuts that save us daily. Today we’ll start out with some of the more commonly used shortcuts and then move onto some you may not know.
- Specific Search: Using quotation marks around a phrase or a certain person’s name will help you find a verbatim phrase and eliminate irrelevant links. Example: “Crap I’ve Made”
- Narrow Your Search: Use this if you want information about a specific item that could mean several things. Placing a hyphen before the terms you want to exclude will remove pages you don’t want to include. Example: Fiesta -car -ford (be sure to use the space before the hyphen, not after.
- Specific File Type: If you include a specific file type in your search Google will return only documents in the relevant file (for Excel use filetype:xls, for PowerPoint use filetype:ppt, etc.) Example: cupcake toppers filetype:PDF.
- Search Within a Specific Site: Specify a search within a specific website.
Example: chevron:Tatertotsandjello.com will pull up all of Jen’s great chevron related projects.
- Search for Similar Keywords: Instead of searching for only the given word, using ~ before the keyword you can instruct Google to search for webpages with the exact given word or the words which has same meaning. Example: ~tutorial will also produce guide, manual, etc.
- Better Than and Reminds Me Of: Want to find a better, new way of doing things try using Better Than or Reminds Me of. Simply Google your phrase within quotations. Example: “Better than Stumbleupon” or “Reminds me of Coldplay”
- World Time: Get local time anywhere. Enter the city and the word time. Example: Anchorage time
- Perform Calculations: Want to perform a calculation? Just enter it into the search field. Example: Want to know what 15% off the full price is? Type 35 x .15
- Locate packages: Looking for a late delivery or an MIA package? Track it down by entering track plus the tracking number. Works for USPS, FedEx, UPS.
- Convert Measurements: How many cups are in a liter? Simply type “cups in liter. You can also convert currency this way.
Tauni is a former public relations executive who spent 12+ years handling communications and events for an array of clients, from the NBA and Olympics to numerous high ranking politicians. Today, she handles social media for a local agency and hosts SNAP!, an annual social media conference for bloggers focused on entertaining, craft and home DIY.
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this was great! I think my google search results will be much quicker now!!
Oh good Lauren. Hope they help!
xoxo
You learn something new everyday. Or in my case like 10 somethings new! Thanks for this!
Thanks Kendra!
xoxo
This is fantastic! Thank you so much!
Vanessa, thanks for popping by and leaving a comment. Hope the little tips help!
xoxo
This is such a great list! Many of these things are new to me too. And I spend a lot of time on Google Searches! Brilliant job!! Thank you!
Thanks Amy!
xoxo
This is a fabulous list! Thank you for sharing it
Thanks Tasha! Happy Googling!
This is so helpful! I’ll be putting the – rule to use often!
Oh boy. That one’s a life save Nisha!
xoxo
Tauni
These are some fabulous tips! Thank you so much for sharing these with us.
So glad you found the Google search tips helpful! Hopefully, you’ll stop back by for more info in the future!
xoxo
Very informative!! Never thought of searching “Better than” or “Reminds me of”! THANKS!
Glad this was helpful to a pro like you Kari! Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment!
xoxo
The “Quick reference sheet” hyperlink gives you an ‘error’ message. Love the Google tips. Thanks.