Google search tips you should know
Tuesday, August 28, 2007 by Jason
Here is my compilation of all the Google search tips everyone should know about.
These tips are worth knowing and you should try all of them, they'll be useful for you one way or another. As Google is always tweaking their search engine and algorithm, I'm sure there'll be more interesting tips always.
Search within a range : You can search in Google within a desired range. You need to type in the range as separated by “..” but make sure you specify the unit as well.
For example: LCD 21..32 inches
Synonym Search with "~"(Tilde) sign : If in case you want to search for the term as well as it’s synonym, then just add the “~” sign in front of your search term, you will see the links for the same terms synonym.
For example: ~fun~image would return fun image as well as joke image, humor image, joke pic, etc.
Omit certain word with "-"(minus) sign : If you want to omit certain word, you can add the "-" sign in front of your search term.
For example: if you search bill microsoft, you'll get all the results relating to Bill Gates and Microsoft, but if you search bill -gate microsoft, you'll get the real bill about microsoft.
Definition search : You can use "define:" to search definition of a word.
For example: if you search define:lcd, you will get definition of lcd all over the net, it's more complete than Answers or Wiki.
Use of "?"(question mark) sign : If you are uncertain about the spelling of the word or you want all possible words, you can use the "?" sign.
For example: if you search sun?day, you can get results such as sun earth day, or the word sun-day.
Use of "*"(asterisk) sign : Not sure about how it's different with "?" sign. But you can try the example and you'll understand.
For example: if you search friend*, you will get words like friends, friend to friend, friend society. Compare the result with ordinary friend search, you'll know how to use "*"
Search for exact phrase with quotation mark "": If you want Google to search all the words you type, use quotation marks. This feature is available in Advance search feature too.
For example: if you search "just like that" with quotation, you will get results containing exact phrase "just like that"
These tips are worth knowing and you should try all of them, they'll be useful for you one way or another. As Google is always tweaking their search engine and algorithm, I'm sure there'll be more interesting tips always.
Search within a range : You can search in Google within a desired range. You need to type in the range as separated by “..” but make sure you specify the unit as well.
For example: LCD 21..32 inches
Is it two periods (..) or three (...)?
two periods, that's my favourite part
Thanks for writing those down...the only one I knew was the asterix!
i think ? substitutes one character where as * does multiple
if you use sun?day, you can get sun-earth day or sunday, etc.
but if you use sun*day, you can get sun-earth day, sun tech day, etc.
so that * mean there should at least one character even space.
It's spelled asterisk and comes from the Greek word asteriskos, which means little star.
*
thanks for the correction, already edited
Some good info and tips for searching.
You can also search for a specific file type with ext:, for example try searching for a video or game title followed by a space then ext:torrent
;)
Since spelling corrections are allowed, it's "tilde", not tildy. Word nerdism aside, this list is great and I appreciate the help!
already corrected again. Btw, I'm allowed all comments as long as they are not spams or no swearing words.