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I’ve been using Google since the early 90s, when it was first conceived, and have been using it daily since. And yet, even I didn’t know some the shortcuts found below, brought to us by brightside.me.
1. Either this or that
Sometimes we’re not sure of, whether we’re looking for, say, a picture of Jennifer Anniston or Jennifer Lawrence. To overcome this common problem, simply put in both names, separating them with the word ”or” (or the pipe symbol “|” ).
2. Searching using synonyms
How many times do you have the word you’re looking for at the tip of your tongue, but can’t for the life of you remember it? To overcome this, just add the “~” symbol to your search. For example, if you search for the term “healthy ~food” you’ll get results about the principles of healthy eating, cooking recipes, as well as healthy dining options.
3. Searching within websites
You know the salad recipe you’re looking for was on brightside.me, but can’t find it anymore. So, search within the website: type the address of the site, then a keyword or entire phrase from the article, and it should come up immediately.
4. The power of the asterisk
If your memory is anything like mine, you’ll often find it hard to recall the specific keyword, phrase, or number you need in order to find what you’re looking for. But don’t despair! Just turn to the powerful asterisk – “*” – symbol and use it in place of the missing word/phrase.
5. When lots of words are missing
If it’s the lengthier half of the phrase you can’t remember rather than a single keyword, as in when you’re trying to remember a quote, try writing out the first and last words and putting “AROUND + (the approximate number of missing words)“ between them. For example, ”I wandered AROUND(4) cloud.”
6. Using a time frame
Sometimes we urgently need to acquaint ourselves with events that occurred during a certain period of time. To do so, you can add a time frame to your search query with the help of three dots between the dates. For example, if you want to find out about scientific discoveries during the 20th century, write:
7. Finding similar websites
If you’ve found something you really like online and want to find similar websites, type in “related:” and then the address of the site, again without a space between them.
8. Whole phrases
Framing your search term within quotation marks is the simplest and most effective way to find something specific and in the exact order you typed it in.
For example, if you type in the words I’m picking up good vibrations without quotation marks, the search engine will show the results where these words appear in any order on a website, as opposed to the specific order in which you typed them.
If, on the other hand, you type “I’m picking up good vibrations” within quotation marks, you’ll get only those results where these words appear only in the order you typed them in. This is a great way to find the lyrics to a song when you only know one line from it.
9. Unimportant search words
To remove unimportant search words from your query, simply write a minus symbol before each one. For example, if you want to find a site about interesting books, but you aren’t looking to buy them, you can write the following:
For more tips, check out the full post on brightside.me.
M. L. Kappa said:
Very useful! I’m bookmarking this
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Nicholas C. Rossis said:
Yay! Thanks 🙂
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The Story Reading Ape said:
Reblogged this on Chris The Story Reading Ape's Blog and commented:
Great Google Search tips from Nicholas 😀
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gahlearner said:
This is so useful, retweeting.
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Nicholas C. Rossis said:
Thanks for sharing 😀
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Pingback: 9 Ways to Find What You’re Looking For on Google — Nicholas C. Rossis – Flights of Fancy
coldhandboyack said:
Helpful, but it doesn’t look like #6 worked too well according to the first choice.
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Nicholas C. Rossis said:
If it’s any consolation, when I tried it I got Wilhelm Reich’s theory on orgasms at #1…
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Val McBeath said:
I wish I’d known about #6 before I started the research for my book (even if it does pick up the odd outlier)
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Nicholas C. Rossis said:
Sorry 🙂
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Val McBeath said:
Haha. I started over 6 years go on my current project, so I’ll let you off! 🙂
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Joy Pixley said:
I didn’t know about the synonyms or the time frame ones — useful stuff, thanks!
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Nicholas C. Rossis said:
Yay! So glad you found it useful! The synonyms one is great, especially for authors.
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shaunkellett said:
I might have to share this post with my parents! They’re of the ‘writing full sentences into google as though it’s a real person answering a question’ school of searching. Thanks for the helpful breakdown 🙂 and a couple of new ones I didn’t know there!
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Nicholas C. Rossis said:
Lol – since my parents are of the “what does this keyboard thingy do?” you’re already ahead of me 😀
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shaunkellett said:
Haha, well we’ve thankfully overcome that part in the past few years… Though my Dad still types with one finger, at least it’s better than nothing! 😀
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Marcia said:
Reblogged this on The Write Stuff and commented:
Great article shared by Nicholas Rossis! Check it out to learn better ways to Google!
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Mary Smith said:
Useful info – thanks.
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Nicholas C. Rossis said:
Yay! So glad you found it useful 🙂
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Mae Clair said:
Wonderfully helpful information. Thank you!
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Nicholas C. Rossis said:
Yay! So glad you found it useful 🙂
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olganm said:
Very useful. Thanks, Nicholas!
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Nicholas C. Rossis said:
Yay! So glad you found it useful 🙂
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Kassandra Lamb said:
Great tips. Thank you!
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Nicholas C. Rossis said:
Yay! So glad you found it useful 🙂
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Linda Lee said:
Thanks, Nicholas. Very helpful. Shared. 🙂
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Nicholas C. Rossis said:
Yay! So glad you found it useful – and many thanks for sharing 🙂
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kimwrtr said:
Reblogged this on Kim's Author Support Blog.
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suzannenewnham said:
Shared on my f/b writer timeline so I remember where to find the info on how to find info 🙂
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Nicholas C. Rossis said:
Lol – yes, that’s always a problem. Sometimes I reblog for that reason 😀
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The Owl Lady said:
Reblogged this on The Owl Lady.
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Rae Longest said:
Very helpful, especially to a novice like me! TY
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Nicholas C. Rossis said:
Yay! Thanks 🙂
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