Google accounts for 86 percent of all web searches, and because to the widespread use of smartphones, anybody can search for anything from anywhere—all they need is an internet connection. That means Google processes billions of searches every day.
It’s easy to take for granted what a contemporary online search can accomplish, but Google has genuinely transformed the internet. Google can provide weather information, translate languages, define terms, provide directions, and much more. When was the last time you had a disagreement with a buddy and didn’t look up the answer on Google?
Even if you use Google many times each day, there’s likely a lot you don’t know about it. The suggestions below will enhance your Googling abilities if you’ve ever struggled to get the results you want or just want to know a few insider techniques.
- Use Operators and Search Modifiers to Fine-Tune Your Searches
Google’s search algorithm is extremely good at finding the information you’re searching for, even if you’re not sure what you’re looking for. However, if Google doesn’t appear to be providing you with exactly what you’re looking for, there are a few methods to narrow your search results using operators.
To find the precise phrase, use quotation marks (” “): If you type Patrick Stewart young into Google, you’ll receive results that include all of those phrases, but not necessarily in the order you typed them in. When you search for “Patrick Stewart young” using quotes, you’ll only see results that have all of those phrases in that sequence.
To locate synonyms, place a tilde () in front of a word: When you need to find a certain term as well as any synonyms for that word. When you search for “iPhone cheap,” you’ll also see “iPhone affordable,” and so on.
Term(s) containing a negative (-) sign are excluded: Use the minus symbol to filter out any phrases you don’t want, such as best apps -android for results that don’t include top Android app roundups.
To find a range, put two periods (..) between the numbers: Use two periods in between the numbers to limit the results to a certain date or price range. If you’re looking for a computer in a specific price range, you may use the search terms computer $500…$900 to limit your results to those that fall within that range.
- Use the Advanced Search feature to do a more in-depth search
Don’t have time to memorize all of these modifiers? You may use them in a Google advanced search. To launch a new advanced search page, click the gear symbol on the Google results page and select Advanced search.
Instead than depending on particular modifiers, this feature allows you to add keywords or phrases in certain areas. Language, region, recent update, domain, term location, explicit content, file type, and use right may all be used to narrow down the results. Image size, aspect ratio, color, and image type may all be used to limit down image searches.
3. Set Time Limits
Are you looking for simply the most recent information on a subject or information that pertains to a certain time period? To refine your search results, use Google’s desktop and mobile search tools. Click Tools under the magnifying glass icon on the desktop. Swipe to the bottom of the list of Google search types on a mobile device and pick Search tools.
- Use a Reverse Image Search to find a reverse image
On most browsers, Google enables “backward” image searches. This feature allows you to submit an image file and search for information about it. If you submit a photo of the Eiffel Tower, for example, Google will identify it and provide you with information about the Paris landmark. It can also recognize works of art, lead you to websites where the image exists, and show you photos that are “visually comparable.”
5. Google Search Dark Mode
Google now has its own dark mode option, which allows you to make your search results completely black. On a desktop, click the Settings gear on the top right and pick Dark Theme under Appearance from a search results page. (You may also pick Search Settings > Appearance > Dark theme on Google.com by clicking Settings on the bottom right.) You may also use Device default to match the rest of your theme options.
- Use your calculator to do math in the search box
Whether you need to calculate a tip on a meal or build a sophisticated geographic depiction, Google search has you prepared with the ability to perform basic calculations right in the search box. For example, Googling 34+7, 3 times 7, or 20% of $67.42 will bring up a calculator with the proper result already filled in below the bar. You may also just type in “calculator” to enter your own equations.
- Unit Conversion Google Converter will assist you in converting virtually anything
You may look up 38 degrees Fahrenheit, 10 ounces, or even 17.5 millimeters in light years. Google will give you the answer as well as an interactive conversion calculator to help you convert even more.
8. By inputting the term followed by define/definition
you may ask Google to define unknown words (or two-word phrases). This will cause Google to return a card with the definition, pronunciation, and etymology (if available). Before you push Search, Google will sometimes describe the term in the autocomplete box.
- Use Google’s package tracker to keep track of your packages
Do you have any idea where that delivery went? In your search bar, you can monitor (most) packages. Simply put the tracking number into Google’s search box, and the package’s current status will be shown. For further information, follow the link to the carrier’s official tracking website.
- What Time Is It in Tokyo?
Time for a search
Because calculating time differences is difficult, why not let Google do it for you? To get the most up-to-date local time for your search, type time [any place], which may be the name of a nation, city, or (if it’s in the US) a ZIP code. It’s far easier than calculating how many hours ahead or behind you are manually.
