Google Search Tips

Basic Search Symbols

Operator

Meaning

Example

Basic Search Symbols

-

Excludes search results that include this term.

best tablets -drawing

|

Returns search results that match terms on either side of the pipe. The same as writing "OR" between search terms.

computer | tablet

@

Returns search results that match a particular social media site.

phone recall @twitter

#

Returns search results that include a specific hashtag.

#throwbackthursday

""

Returns search results that include all terms within quotes in the exact given order.

"never gonna give you up"

*

Returns search results where any words can be matched in place of the asterisk.

best * in america

..

When placed between two numbers, returns search results that match within the number range.

chromebook $200..$500

()

Used to group search terms and control the search logic of the query.

(best | worst) office suite

Popular Search Operators

cache:

Show Google's cached version of a specific page.

cache:makeuseof.com

filetype:

Returns only search results that match a particular file extension.

sleep study filetype:pdf

related:

Returns other websites that are similar to the queried website.

related:nytimes.com

site:

Returns only search results from a particular website.

productivity tips site:makeuseof.com

Other Search Operators

inanchor:

Returns pages that are linked to using anchor text matching the search query.

allinanchor:

Same as inanchor, but matching every term that appears after allinanchor.

intext:

Returns only search results that match in the page's body.

allintext:

Same as intext, but matching every term that appears after allintext.

intitle:

Returns only search results that match in the page's title.

allintitle:

Same as intitle, but matching every term that appears after allintitle.

inurl:

Returns only search results that match in the page's URL.

allinurl:

Same as inurl, but matching every term that appears after allinurl.

Informational Search Queries

define

Returns a definition of the given term.

define gregarious

time

Returns the current time at a particular location.

time stockholm

to

Convert measurements from one unit to another.

1 cup to tbsp

translate

Translates the queried terms into another specified language.

translate hello world german

weather

Returns the weather forecast for the given location or ZIP code.

weather 90210

Chrome Extensions

Google Search Duration: An extension to easily change the search duration date when searching google.com

Instant Multi Search: Probably the best extension out there. This extension allows you to create custom searches to search multiple sources at once. TIME SAVER!!!

Advanced Searches

1. Explicit Phrase

Let's say you're searching on Google for content about inbound marketing. Instead of just typing inbound marketing into the Google search box, you will likely be better off searching explicitly for the phrase. To do this, simply enclose the search phrase within double quotes.

Example Search: "inbound marketing"

2. Exclude Words

Let's say you want to search for content about inbound marketing, but you want to exclude any results that contain the term advertising. To do this, simply use the - sign in front of the word you want to exclude.

Example Search: inbound marketing -advertising

3. This OR That

By default, when you conduct a search, Google will include all the terms specified in the search. If you're looking for any one of one or more terms to match, then you can use the OR operator. (Note: The OR has to be capitalized).

Example Search: inbound marketing OR advertising

4. Words in the Text

If you want to find a webpage where all the terms you're searching for appear in the text of that page (but not necessarily beside each other), type in allintext: followed immediately by words or phrases.

Example Search: allintext:vermont ski house lake

5. Words in the Text + Title, URL etc.

If you want to find a webpage where one term appears in the text of that page and another term appears elsewhere on the page, like the title or URL, then type in that first term followed by intext:followed immediately by the other term.

Example Search: neil diamond intext:red sox

6. Words in the Title

Want to find a webpage with certain words contained in the title (but not necessarily beside each other)? Type in allintitle: followed immediately by words or phrases.

Example Search: allintitle:wine club

7. Words in the TItle + Text, URL, etc.

Want to find a webpage where one term appears in the title of that page and another term appears elsewhere on the page, like in the text or the URL? Type in that first term followed by intitle:immediately followed by the other term.

Example Search: flu shot intitle:advice

8. Words in the URL

If you want to find pages with your search query mentioned in the URL, type allinurl: immediately followed by your search query.

Example Search: allinurl:hubspot blog

9. How to Search Within a Website

Often, you want to search a specific website for content that matches a certain phrase. Even if the site doesn’t support a built-in search feature, you can use Google to search the site for your term. Simply use the site:somesite.com modifier. (Read this blog post to learn how to do this in more detail.)

Example Search: site:www.smallbusinesshub.com "inbound marketing"

If you want to find new websites with similar content to a website you already know of, use the related:somesite.com modifier.

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