Keyword-Based Content Search Tool

Overview

This project is a dynamic spreadsheet-based tool designed to explore web content across various platforms (like Google, YouTube, Reddit, Instagram, GitHub) by filtering results to a specific, randomly generated date. While initially conceived for discovering historical music videos, its flexibility allows users to search for any keyword and uncover relevant content that existed or was prominent on that particular day in history.

Problem Solved:

Traditional search engines are optimized for finding the most recent or currently relevant information. Finding content published or discussed on a single, specific historical date can be challenging. This tool provides a unique way to overcome this by generating targeted search queries that isolate results to a 24-hour window around a random date, offering a fascinating glimpse into past web activity.

Key Features:

• Random Date Generation: The core innovation is the automatic generation of a random date within a specified historical range (e.g., from 2005 to today). This turns each use into a surprising dive into the past.

• Keyword Flexibility: Easily customize the search by entering any desired keyword, making the tool adaptable for various research or discovery purposes beyond just music videos.

• Multi-Platform Search: Generates ready-to-use search links for multiple major platforms, including Google's main search, YouTube, Reddit, Instagram (for Reels), and GitHub.

• Targeted Date Filtering: Utilizes specific search operators (before: and after:) to restrict search results to a precise one-day window around the randomly generated date.

• Automated Link Generation: Creates clickable hyperlinks directly within the spreadsheet, making it easy to execute the tailored searches instantly.

• Varied Search Types: For platforms like YouTube and Reddit, it includes options for different search focuses (e.g., standard relevance, sorting by views, searching specifically for videos or shorts).

How It Works (Technical Summary):

• The tool is built using powerful spreadsheet formulas (likely in Google Sheets or similar). It uses functions to:

• Generate a random numerical value representing a date within a defined range.

• Convert this value into a standard date format.

• Construct complex search URLs by concatenating (joining) base search engine URLs, the user-defined keyword, and date-specific search operators (before:YYYY-MM-DD and after:YYYY-MM-DD). The date operators are specifically set to create a one-day window by using the random date +1 day and -1 day.

• Embed these generated URLs into clickable hyperlink cells within the spreadsheet.

Skills Demonstrated:

• Advanced spreadsheet formula application (date functions, text manipulation, HYPERLINK, CONCATENATE, RANDBETWEEN).

• Understanding and application of web search operators (site:, before:, after:).

• Problem-solving through automating a complex web search task.

• Data manipulation and formatting.

• Creating a user-friendly utility from raw data and functions.

Impact/Potential Use Cases:

• Discovering historical content related to specific events or trends.

• Finding forgotten or lesser-known content published on a particular day.

• Exploring the digital footprint of a specific date.

• Nostalgic searches for content from a past era.