Hey, I pretty sure that you use Google every day, but do you really know how to use Google? Here are some tips to help you use Google better.Â
How would you search for an exact word or phrase?
When you want to search for an exact phrase, you should enclose the entire phrase in âquotation marksâ. This tells Google to search for the precise keywords in the prescribed order.
For example, âsoft eraserâ
How would you search for something on a specific site?
When you want to search for something on a specific site, you should enclose your item with site: websiteâs URL. After your search term, and you'll get all the instances of that term on that particular site. Results from the rest of the web will be filtered out.
For example, economic site:time.com
How would you correctly search for a definition?
When you want to look for a definition for a specific word, you should unclose define in your search.
For example, Define: art philosophy Â
How would you search for a specific product available within a specific price range?
When you want to find a product within a specific price range, you should enter the name of your product, then follow it with the lowest price range you are looking for and the highest range.
For example, hat $20..$100
How would you search for a specific filetype?Â
When you want to find a specific filetype, you should enter the name of the item you are looking for, then âfiletype: specific filetype you wantâÂ
For example: art philosophy  filetype: PDFÂ
How would you include or ignore words in your search?Â
When you want to exclude words from your search, you should use the - operator; any word in your query preceded by the - sign is automatically excluded from the search results. When you want to include words from your search, you should use the + plus; any word in your query preceded by the + plus is automatically include from the search results.
For example, art history â Asia, or, art history + Asia
How would you find sites/pages similar to an existing one?
When you want to find a similar site to an existing one, you should enclose ârelated:â before your site. Make sure there are no spaces after the colon.
For example: related:cibc.ca
How would you confirm the exact form of a quote even if you were missing some of the words?
When you want to confirm the exact form of a quote or lyric, you should type out the quote and replace the missing words with an asterisk *.
For example: I think, therefore I *
How would search for pages containing two connected words?
When you want to search for pages that contain two connected words, you should enclose the two words with a + sign between them.
For Example: Ryerson+interior design
How would you search for social media content containing a specific tag?
When you want to find social media content with a specific tag, you should insert a hashtag before your word or phrase.
I hope the tips above will help you when you use Google. If you have any questions or discussions about Google, please leave a comment.