The 24 Best Google Search Tricks
Google is an incredibly powerful tool that can make your online life infinitely easier when you know how to take advantage of all its features. Whether you’re a student researching for a paper, a professional looking for industry insights, or just satisfying your curiosity, there are plenty of Google search tricks that can help you find exactly what you’re looking for (and more!) in less time. Here are 24 of the best Google Search tricks to start using today:
1. Use Quotes: Encase your search query in quotes to find results that include an exact phrase.
2. Dash Away Words: Add a dash before a word you want to exclude from search results.
3. Find Related Sites: Use related:website.com to find websites similar to one you know.
4. Discover Definitions: Type define: followed by a word to get its definition immediately.
5. Search within a Site: Use site:website.com followed by your search term to find information within a particular website.
6. Search by File Type: Looking for specific document types? Use filetype:pdf, ppt, docx etc., followed by your search term.
7. Explore Google’s Time Machine with Cache: See an earlier version of a site by typing cache:website.com.
8. Conduct Calculations: Input equations or conversions directly into the search bar and let Google do the math.
9. Reverse Image Search: Click on the camera icon in Images search to upload or link an image and find its origins or similar images.
10. Flight Statuses Quick View: Type in the airline and flight number to see real-time flight status.
11. Track Packages: Paste tracking numbers directly into the search bar to check the delivery status without going through the carrier’s site.
12. Wildcards Can Help: Use an asterisk as a wildcard for replacement words in phrases.
13. Check Weather Anywhere: Simply type weather followed by the location to get the forecast without needing any specific website.
14. Streamline Event Searches: Search for concerts, shows or events with query like events near me this weekend or append “events” after any band or artist name for their performances.
15. Get Public Data Snapshots: Look up population data, unemployment rates etc., with queries such as population of [city/country].
16. Automatically Convert Units & Currencies: Enter something like $100 in euro or 10 miles in km, and it’ll convert it right away.
17. Movie Showtimes In Your Area: Typing movies followed by your city or zip code provides current cinema listings near you.
18. Sport Scores and Schedules At A Glance: Just type the team name or competition, and live scores or schedules pop up instantly.
19. Discover Local Businesses And Services: A search starting with “best” followed by business type (e.g., hair salons, restaurants) and location will bring up top-rated options nearby.
20. Do A Barrel Roll Trick: Type “do a barrel roll” into Google, and watch your screen spin for fun!
21. Quick Nutritional Facts Comparison: “Type compare apples and oranges (or any two food items), and get side-by-side nutrition facts.”
22. Set Timers & Alarms: “Input set timer for [amount of time] or set alarm at [time] right into your search bar.”
23. Check Stock Market Performance: “Type in any ticker symbol, like GOOG for Google, and see real-time stock information.”
24. Instant Word Translation: “Enter translate [word] to [language], and Google will provide you.