12 tips for using Google Search like an Expert
Millions of people worldwide use Google to search for academic papers, research for the company we work for, or simply have a good time and find the information that interests us about our hobbies.
Google search has more facets and nuances than we normally know and use. Whether you are a normal Internet user or a super-advanced user (Geek as English speakers say), I recommend you save this article in your favorites on using Google search.
The following Google search tips are a short guide to improve the results of any information search you do and put yourself at the level of an expert.
Always keep it at hand when you need to locate relevant information for you, your work, or your company. It's all about being practical and super-efficient, so I've kept the descriptions of the google search examples super sketchy for you to do your testing.
Do not expect a thesis in Google searches because it would not make sense! Let's go!
Expert Tips for Mastering Google Search
Tip 1- #: The exact phrase
What is the exact phrase? Very simple is the use of quotes in Google search. Instead of searching with the keywords we need, we write those words in the search engine in quotes. In this way, we will obtain only the results that contain the same phrase.
Search example: "competitive intelligence for SMEs."
Tip 2- #: Exclude search terms
Imagine that we need to refine the previous search, and for this, we want to eliminate the results in which competitive intelligence books appear. We would only add the minus symbol, followed by the word as in the example.
Search example: “competitive intelligence for SMEs” -books
Tip 3- #: Similar Terms
Let's say we want to do a specific search to which we want to add results with similar meanings or words. To do this, use " ~" in front of the word.
Search example: "competitive intelligence" ~ expert
Tip 4- #: Search a website:
It may happen that we only want to search for information on a specific website that we already know has the information we are looking for. For that, just use the google search the following command: "the word" site: www.spectrum.my.id. This feature works even if the website has no internal search engine. This is very useful with online newspaper and magazine archives.
Search example:"Competitive intelligence" site: siswaku.com
Tip 5- #: Results by type of document
If you need results that contain a certain type of document, you can use a simple command "filetype" to get only the results of that type of document. There are some like ppt .doc .xls .pdf .jpg for example
Search example: “competitive intelligence” filetype: ppt
Tip 6- #: Substitute Words
It may happen that we do not remember a word or words related to a topic or theme. For example, the title of a textbook or a song, poem, movie, patent, or article. You can use the command asterisk "*" that will act as a wildcard word in the phrase that we put for all of them.
Search example: "when to invest in * de * platforms" or the island of *
Tip 7- #: Identify Related Sites
If we are looking for sites related to the same subject, we will have to use the Google search with the command "related: www.siswaku.com."
Search example: related: Bloggerpost.my.id
Tip 8- #: Get Definitions
You need to get the definition of a word. Instead of searching the online dictionary, enter the command "define: word"
Search example : define: SPECTRUM
Tip 9- #: Calculator
This option will allow you to avoid stopping what you are doing to use your mobile or any calculator. You enter the operation in google search, and it will automatically appear with the answer.
Note: I have only used it for simple operations, addition, subtraction, multiplication, etc ...
Search example: 56 * 13
Tip 10- #: Time Period
This is a beneficial type of function for searching between two numbers or figures. A colon ".." is interposed between the figures, such as prices or time dates. It is not very common to use it, but it can help when you are looking for a product or historical event.
Example of searches: iPhone 440..650 or American civil war 1930..1940
Tip 11- #: Inbound links to a website
As a curiosity for those who like to know this type of thing, it is also possible to search in google to find out which pages have inbound links to another website. The following function is used: "link: www.siswaku.com."
Search example:link: www.spectrum.my.id
Tip 12- #: Discover the content of broken links
On some occasions, I am sure that I am not the only one. It has happened to me to find results in Google with a broken link that takes you to a page with the following message: 404 pages not found. Well, if this has happened to you, there is a simple way to access the content:
Go back to the results page, and just below the link title on the right, you will see a green triangle.
Press the green triangle, and a menu will appear.
Select cache and click, and you will finally be able to view the content of that page.
Simple right?
I sincerely hope that this little guide is handy for your searches on Google. On another occasion, I will talk about searching for patents and other advanced features with Google.
If there is any advice on using google search that I have left, feel free to share it in the comments. Thank you!
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