20 GOOGLE TIPS AND TRICKS YOU DIDN'T KNOW
Feb 04, 2014
We all make Google searches like it is second nature, most of us using it to answer questions on a daily basis. But what if our searches could be made even better?
Whether it's to save time or just to brighten up your day, the clever people at Google have created lots of tools and tricks to transform your everyday, mundane searches.
Here at The Creation Lab we’ve found all kinds of tricks to type into Google’s little search box – how many of these did you know?
For conducting better searches:
- “Site:” only searches within the pages of a specific website, e.g. site:http://www.thecreationlab.co.uk/ will search our website.
- Dictionary definitions can easily be found if you put “define:” in front of the word.
- Search for exact phrases, rather than separate words, with “ ” – e.g. “Google Tips and Tricks” will search for the whole phrase.
- Using a minus (-) sign will exclude a specific word from a search, e.g. Web Design Course -online
- Intitle: bases your search only on titles of web pages.
- Intext: does the opposite, restricting your search results to text content.
- Use ~ in front of the word to search similar search terms or synonyms, e.g. “Creative Writing” ~content
- Show results within a specific time rage with .., e.g. 1990..2014
Specific Tools:
- Calculator: Use the punctuation signs ,-,*,/ and () to solve simple problems, e.g. 435/4
- Unit converter: Type a sentence with what you have and what you want, e.g. 12 pounds in kilograms
- Timer: Type “set timer” followed by the time to start a countdown – but remember to keep the volume on!
- Weather: Search “weather” to see the weather in your location or add a city name afterwards to refine your search.
- Translate: Translate a specific phrase by typing “translate” and your phrase, followed by the language, e.g. Translate I’ll have the lobster Spanish.
- Link checker: Type “Link:” before a website to see which pages are linking to it, e.g. Link:http://www.For example, try typing in link:http://www.bbc.co.uk/
Easter Eggs:
Just a bit of fun – “Easter Eggs” are little jokes and features that have slipped into Google search.
- Type “Askew” into search to tilt your screen.
- Type “Do a barrel roll” and Google will obey your command!
- Go to image search and type “Atari Breakout” – get ready for some gaming!
- If you love The Hobbit, visit Google Maps and ask for walking directions from “The Shire” to “Mordor” – you’ll love the response.
- Play a game of “Zerg Rush” by typing it into Google Search!
- Since YouTube is now owned by Google, we can include this is the Easter Eggs – type “Do the Harlem shake” into YouTube and make sure you have the volume up!
Do you have any more tips for us? Add them in the comments!