Google Search Tips + Tricks

If you are using Google as your search engine, there are short-cuts in the URL box that you can use rather than using an advanced Google search. Avoid putting spaces between the symbol or word and your search term. (Google search usually ignores punctuaton that isn't part of the search operator)

•  A search for site:nytimes.com will work, but site: nytimes.com won’t.

Exclude words from your search

• Put - in front of a word you want to leave out. For example, australia -travel

Combine terms

• Put "-" between each search query. (no space) For example,  civil-war

Search for an exact match

• Put a word or phrase inside quotes. For example, "tallest building".

Search within a range of numbers

• Put .. between two numbers. For example, american presidents 1876..1900

Combine searches

• Put "OR" between each search query. For example,  marathon OR race.

Search within a specific site

• Put "site:" in front of a site or domain. For example, site:loc.gov civil-war or site:.gov immunizations

Search for related sites

Put "related:" in front of a web address you already know. For example, related:time.com.

Using similar search terms

• Put "~" in front of a search term to find similar words. For example this will also find costume facts. ~clothing facts

Search for unknown words

• Put "*:" in the space of an unknown word. For example, a * saved is a * earned

Find specific file types

• Put "filetype:" followed by the type of file you are searching for. For example, filetype.pptx cell-structure

Search for a word(s) within a webpage

• Use "CNTR-F:" 

Search using hashtags

Put # in front of a word. For example: #2016 election

Create an alert for your search topic

You can get emails when new results for a topic show up in Google Search. For example, you can get info about news, products, or mentions of your name.

Create an alert

1. Go to Google Alerts.

2. In the box at the top, enter a topic you want to follow.

3. To change your settings, click Show options. You can change:

   • How often you get notifications

   • The types of sites you’ll see

   • Your language

   • The part of the world you want info from

   • How many results you want to see

   • What accounts get the alert

4. Click Create Alert. You’ll get emails whenever matching search results are found.