How to search Google more efficiently

Google is the most friendliest search engine. All you have to do simply enter your key word and the results pop up on your screen. Google's spell checker has made it further easy by automatically detecting for common spelling mistakes. But while using Google this simple way, it may take you longer and you may end up changing your query until you find what you’re looking for.

There's another better way of using Google, which will help you confine your search results and save your time and energy. The following are some tips and tricks which will help you search Google the expert way!

1) Search with an Explicit Phrase

If you are searching for a particular word or phrase, instead of just typing the word, you can put  quotation marks around words like "[any word]". This way Google will search for an exact phrase in an exact order and exclude relevant results.

Example Search: "digital marketing"

2) Search within a specific site 

If you want to search a particular site, then you can search Google by entering your query along with site:website name

Example Search: marketing site:asukavi.com

  

3) Include or ignore words

If you want to exclude any particular term from your search results then simply use the "-" sign in front of the word you want to exclude.

Example Search: social media marketing -facebook

4) Similar Words and Synonyms

Let’s say you want to include a word in your search, but also want to include results that contain similar words or synonyms. To do this, use the "~" in front of the word.

Example Search: "digital marketing" ~professional

5) Search by Document Types 

If you want to search for a specific types of files, such as DOC, XLS, PDFs, or PPTs, you can do that by adding you search term along with filetype: and the 3-letter file abbreviation.

Example Search: digital marketing filetype:pdf

6) Search Related pages 

If you want to find content similar to any particular website, then this feature of Google search can come handy. Type related: followed by the website address and you will find pages that have similar content of that particular website.

Example Search:related:coolreader.com/books

7) Number conversions or Calculations

Convert any measurement like miles to kilometers  by typing in the number and unit of measurement.  And as for calculations, you can just type your expression into Google.

Example:  miles to kilometers or 8523*42

8) Search in another language

To search in another language of your choice, click "More search tools" on the left panel of your results page, then select "Translated foreign pages."

9) Advance Image Search

Use Advanced Image Search at the bottom of the page to find an exact size, color or type of photo or drawing. 

10) Search by location

If you want to search by location, then add a zip code to the end of any place search and get results  along with phone numbers, a map, and even reviews. 

11) Phone Listing

Let’s say someone calls you on your mobile number, and you don’t know who it is. You can look up the phone number on Google using the phonebook feature.

Example Search: phonebook: 91- 957-95842 (Note: The provided number does not work. You’ll have to use a real number to get any results.)

12) Word Definitions

For quick definitions of a word or phrase, simply use the "define:" command.

Search Example: define:ostentatious