The Google Series – 10 Handy Google Search Tips!
The Google search engine has become an ubiquitous influence that has changed the way we learn, work, travel, socialise, shop, relax and communicate! In all likelihood it also impacts much of what we think, wear, eat, drink, listen to and say.
So it is fair to say, for many of us it effects a lot of what we do, and has become a tool that makes life easier.
Google wasn’t the first player in the search engine market, but when they arrived they simply did a better job than those before them; producing a better set of results, faster, with the simplest of interfaces. Defying the rules of first mover advantage they are now the clear market leader, and in New Zealand pretty much the undisputed ruler.
The reason we have embraced Google as part of our lives is simply due to the value it delivers, its ease of use, and the instant accessibility. Simply type a question in to the search box and literally thousands if not millions of results will be returned.
We have come to trust the results this giant company delivers us. We confidently diagnose and self prescribe based on content that Google delivers to our browsers. And while it is not for me to judge whether the “unique, original and high quality content ” according to Google; or the most valuable websites Googles algorithm calculates for a particular search term is right, wrong or some where in between. There is no doubt that we have come to rely Google search results more and more. With the staggering incidence of smart phones across nearly all demographics of society; our mobile devices are helping us take this usage to unprecedented new levels.
Of course, there are those that have been “googling” for years, that know how to get what they want quicker from the search giant, streamlining the experience, and eliminating the chaff as it were.
Here are few simple Google search tips and short cuts that ensure a more accurate and tailored set of results for any given search:
1/ Using the filters below the primary search box is a simple way to refine your search specifically for images, videos, maps news, books about the subject you are searching, along with advanced filters for time and country.
2/ To search for a specific term or phrase use exclamation marks. For example, for a DIYer who wants to build a retaining wall, search “how to build a retaining wall”
3/ To exclude elements from your search simply type – in front of the words you would like to exclude. Eg. US Election -Trump
4/ If you want to find the meaning of a word search define then the word or the word then definition. Eg. Define laconic
5/ If you want to see all the links from any website search site: then the URL minus www. Eg. site:strategus.co.nz. This is particularly handy when you want to search and find something within a site that doesn’t have an in site search facility.
6/ To try and find a word missing in a famous quote or even a line in a movie you can try using an asterisk * or a wildcard search. Eg Search Opportunities don’t happen*
7/ You can use Google as a Timer or countdown, simply type in the amount of time plus the word timer, then click start when you are ready to begin.
8/ If you want to know the sunrise and sunset time simply type in what you are after plus the location.
9/ To find Flight Status, simply type in any flight number
10/ Use Google to quickly and efficeintly provide conversions. Search convert
- 100 nz dollars to US dollars,
- or 10 pounds to kgs
- or 20 miles to km, or mph to kmph.
Of course if you don’t want to type your question or search, you can simply dictate your request, and hey presto your results will be delivered!
Stuart Clark
strategus.co.nz
