21 Google Search Tips to Find Exactly What You Want

Tan Siew Ann

Aug 23, 202411 min read
Contributors: Sydney Go and Simon Fogg
Google Search Tips
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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Here are 21 Google search tips that will help you:

  • Search the web without typing a query
  • Refine your searches to get the right answers faster
  • Discover cool things you never knew Google could do

At the end, we’ll also show you how you can get your site to appear on Google’s search results.

(Spoiler alert—it involves something called search engine optimization or SEO.)

But first, the tips.

1. Familiarize Yourself with the Basics

To do a Google search, launch your browser, navigate to the search engine, and type what you’re looking for into the search bar.

Alternatively, if Google is your browser’s default search engine, type your query into your browser’s address bar.

You can type:

  • Words, like “electrolysis”
  • Phrases, like “electrolysis process”
  • Questions, like “what is electrolysis”

You don’t need to type in full sentences.

Side by side comparison of search suggestions on Google homepage and in web browser

Then, hit “Enter” or “return” on your keyboard to run the search.

Don’t worry about your spelling or grammar. Google is good at autocorrecting misspelled queries.

Google SERP for 'electrolysiss' with 'Showing results for electrolysis. Search instead for electrolysis' highlighted

After you run your search, Google will display relevant results. Use the tabs at the top to see only certain types of results.

For example, click “Images” to view only image results. Or “News” to view results from news sites.

Side-by-side comparison of Google SERP for “electrolysis” with image results on the left and news results on the right

Google may also display topics at the top of the search results. Click them to add to your query and narrow your search:

Search related topic tabs under search bar on Google highlighted

For example, clicking the “women’s” topic that Google displays on the search engine results page for “cute shoes” will update the search query to “women’s cute shoes.”

Updated Google search query and results page after selecting a suggested topic

2. Filter Your Results

Filter the results to see only those published within a certain period or that match your query word for word.

To do this, click the “Tools” option at the top of the Google search results. “Any time” and “All results” drop-down menus will appear.

Click “Any time” to filter for results published within the last hour, 24 hours, week, month, or year. Or within a date range of your choice.

Google search results for 'olympic news' with Tools button clicked and time period dropdown expanded and highlighted

Click “All results” to choose whether to see all results. Or only verbatim ones that closely (or exactly) match your search query.

For example, if you’re searching for a person named “Rob Downey,” turning on the “Verbatim” filter ensures you get results for people named Rob Downey.

And not Robert Downey Jr., the actor.

Side-by-side comparison of the Google SERP for 'Rob Downey' with and without the 'Verbatim' filter applied

3. Search Within Websites

Add “site:[domain]” to your search query to view results from a specific site.

Google search results using the 'site:' operator

This Google search tip also works for viewing results from specific site subdirectories, like “[domain]/blog.”

Google search results using the 'site:' operator with a subdirectory added to URL

A reverse image search uses an image to look for information. It’s helpful for learning about something you have a picture of but don’t know the name of.

Run a reverse image search in Google by clicking the camera icon at the right of the search bar.

Google search bar with the camera icon highlighted

Upload your image to Google. Or paste an image link into the provided field. And click “Search.”

Google will analyze your image and suggest relevant results.

Google Image search results for Rubik's cube photo

5. Search with Your Voice

If you can’t type your query, do a voice search—where you speak your query.

Select the microphone icon at the right of the search bar:

Google search bar with the mic icon highlighted

Let Google access your microphone if prompted. Then, say your query out loud.

Google will transcribe your speech and search for what you said. If the transcription is inaccurate, correct it and rerun the search.

6. Get a Direct Answer

Google has partnered with other sites to provide answers to certain types of queries directly on the results page. As a result, you don’t have to click a search result to get an answer.

Which is useful when you just want a straightforward answer.

Google SERP for 'voo price' with stock chart highlighted

Try these Google search hacks for triggering direct answers:

To Get a Direct Answer for:

Use This Query:

Weather in a certain place

“Weather in [country or city]”

Time in a certain place

“Time in [country or city]”

Stock prices

“[Stock ticker symbol] price”

Definitions

“Define [word]” or “[word] meaning”

7. Find Exact Match Results

Enclose your search query in double quotation marks to view results that contain your query exactly as it appears.

This Google search tip is helpful for looking up the sources of quotes.

Let’s say you want to check which blog post provided this advice: “You should never pay for dofollow backlinks.”

Doing a Google search for that line without quotation marks may get you results with some words missing or in a different order:

Google SERP for 'you should never pay for dofollow backlinks' with close-match results highlighted

But rerun the search with quotation marks, and you’ll get the sentence’s source right away.

Google SERP for "you should never pay for dofollow backlinks" with exact-match results highlighted

8. Exclude Certain Results

Add a minus sign before certain words to exclude results with these words from the search results.

Here’s an example:

Searching for “caterpillar” usually gets you information on the Caterpillar construction equipment manufacturer.

Google SERP for 'caterpillar' with search results dominated by the construction brand

To get information on the insect, instead, search for “caterpillar -construction.”

Google SERP for 'caterpillar -construction' showing search results about the insect and non-construction products

Another Google search tip is adding the minus sign before the “site:” operator. To exclude a certain website from the results.

For instance, to find mentions of your brand on any site except yours, search for “[your brand name] -site:[your domain].”

Google SERP for “semrush -site:semrush.com” showing results excluding pages from semrush.com

9. Find Files

Get only results with a certain file format by adding “filetype:[file format]” to your search query. Supported formats include:

  • pdf: For PDF files
  • doc: For Microsoft Word documents
  • xls: For Microsoft Excel spreadsheets
  • ppt: For Microsoft PowerPoint slides

If you’re looking for a PDF document, for instance, search “[document name] filetype:pdf.”

Google SERP for “dyson autonomous vacuum cleaner patent filetype:pdf” with PDF results highlighted

An advanced search gets you page results that meet requirements like:

  • Containing all of certain words
  • Containing none of certain words
  • Being in a certain language
  • Originating from a certain country
  • Having certain usage rights

To run an advanced search, do a regular Google search first. Then, select “Tools” > “Advanced Search” on the search results page.

Google SERP for 'customer satisfaction study' with Tools button and Advanced Search option highlighted

Fill out the advanced search fields as relevant. And hit the “Advanced Search” button to run the search.

Google Advanced Search settings page with sample settings and 'Advanced Search' button highlighted

11. Turn On Dark Mode

Google offers a dark mode feature for doing searches in a dark-colored interface.

Google SERP for 'what is schema markup in seo' in dark mode

Turning on dark mode may reduce eye strain. It may also decrease blue light exposure, which makes falling asleep harder.

Google automatically enables dark mode if this is your device’s color setting. Learn how to change your device’s color settings here:

Alternatively, if your device’s color setting is light mode, here’s how to enable dark mode for a one-off Google search:

From your desktop device, go to the Google homepage. Select “Settings” at the bottom right > “Dark theme: Off.”

Google search homepage with Settings button clicked and 'Dark theme: Off' highlighted

If you’re using a mobile device, the “Dark theme: Off” option will appear directly at the bottom of the Google homepage.

Google search homepage on mobile with 'Dark theme: Off' highlighted

12. Manage Explicit Results

Adjust Google’s SafeSearch settings to control whether you see search results containing sexual activity and graphic violence. And the extent of it.

Click the gear icon at the top right of the search results. Then click on “SafeSearch.”

Search settings sidebar of Google SERP with SafeSearch setting highlighted

You’ll see three settings:

  • Filter: Exclude explicit results entirely
  • Blur: Blur explicit images but not explicit text or links
  • Off: Don’t censor any results

Click your preferred option. Google will save your choice and apply it to all future searches.

13. Do Math

Google can help with math calculations.

If your calculation involves simple addition, subtraction, multiplication, or division, type it into Google’s search bar and run the search.

The search results page will show the answer.

Google SERP for '3+4' showing calculator with results

To perform more complex calculations involving trigonometric functions, logarithms, and more, search for “calculator.”

Google will give you a scientific calculator.

Google SERP for 'calculator' showing calculator

14. Convert Units of Measurement

Convert units of measurement by searching “[number] [source unit of measurement] in [desired unit of measurement].”

For instance:

  • “6’2 in cm”
  • “100 kg in pounds”
  • “25 deg c in kelvin”
Google SERP for '25 deg c in kelvin'

15. Convert Currencies

Google “[number] [source currency] to [desired currency]” to convert currencies using the real-time exchange rate.

Google SERP for '1000 usd to yen'

You’ll also see a chart of the exchange rate’s movements over time. Hover your cursor over the chart to learn the exchange rate on different days.

16. Start a Timer or a Stopwatch

Search for “timer [duration]” to have Google start counting down from that duration automatically.

Google SERP for 'timer 1 hour'

Click “Stop” if you need to pause the timer. And “Reset” to reset it.

Alternatively, search for “stopwatch” to get a stopwatch. Activate it by clicking “Start.”

Google SERP for 'stopwatch'

17. Activate a Bubble Level

Google offers a built-in level tool—also known as a bubble or spirit level—on mobile devices. It provides a rough guide of how horizontal or vertical a surface is.

This Google search tip is helpful when you need to see whether that new shelf you’ve installed is straight. But don’t have a level.

Use it by searching for “bubble level” or “spirit level” on your mobile device. Then, tapping “Touch to activate.”

Google SERP for 'bubble level' on mobile showing Google's bubble level tool with 'Touch to activate' highlighted

If prompted, grant Google access to your device’s motion and orientation sensors if prompted to. And you’re all set.

18. Set Up Search Alerts

Get notifications whenever there are new results for a Google search query.

For example, you can set up an alert for every time someone publishes a post that includes your name or your brand. Or topics relevant to you, like “vegan recipes.”

Go to Google Alerts. And type the query you want to monitor into the “Create an alert about…” field.

You’ll see sample results for your alert.

Google Alerts page showing sample results for 'semrush'

Click “Show options” to configure settings like how often you want to receive notifications. And the results’ language and quality.

Then, click “Create Alert” to finish the setup. Google will start alerting you of new results at your preferred frequency.

Google Alerts creation page for 'semrush' with 'Create Alert' button highlighted

19. Track Packages

Google can provide shipping updates for packages delivered by UPS, FedEx, and other supported shipping providers.

Search for “[shipping provider] package tracking.” Provide your package’s tracking number. And click “Track via [shipping provider].”

Google SERP for 'ups package tracking' with sample tracking number entered

Google will display your package’s shipping status.

20. Play Games

Play certain games directly from Google’s search results page.

This is less of a Google search tip and more of a fun way to use Google.

To play games, search “minesweeper,” “snake,” “pac man,” “solitaire,” or “tic tac toe” to load the relevant game:

Google SERP for 'minesweeper'

Alternatively, you can play a text adventure where you’ll get a scenario in text format. And your response—also in text format—affects what happens next.

Try it by searching for “text adventure.” Then right-clicking the search results page and selecting “Inspect.”

Google SERP for 'text adventure' with right-click menu showing and 'Inspect' option highlighted

Your browser’s developer tools will appear. Navigate to the “Console” tab.

Under the large “Warning!” heading in the console’s messages, you’ll see a question: “Would you like to play a game?”

And two response options: “Yes” or “No.”

Browser developer tools window with Console tab selected and highlighted showing 'Would you like to play a game'

Scroll to the bottom of the console log, type your response, and then hit “Enter” or “return” on your keyboard to start playing.

21. Discover Easter Eggs

Check out special messages or features on the Google search results for certain queries.

Here are some examples:

Search for fonts like “Calibri,” “Comic Sans MS,” and “Courier font,” and Google will display results in the respective font.

Google SERP for 'Courier font'

Ask Google “the answer to life, the universe, and everything” and it will reply “42”—which is a supercomputer’s reply to the same question in “The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy,” a science fiction book by Douglas Adams.

Google SERP for 'the answer to life the universe and everything'

Meanwhile, Google the “BTS” Korean boy band and you’ll see a purple heart near the top left of the search results page.

Select the heart, and purple balloons will appear on the screen. Click them to pop them. The balloons containing microphones reveal messages from BTS’s band members when popped.

Google SERP easter egg showing purple balloons and messages from BTS brand members when popped

Finally, try searching “is Google down.” In other words, is Google’s search service unavailable?

The search engine will tell you it isn’t.

Google SERP for 'is google down'

Make Google Search Work for You

Applying this list of Google search tricks will get you more relevant answers to your questions—and quicker, to boot. Some of these tips also make Googling more fun.

But apart from learning how to search on Google effectively for others’ pages, how would you like your pages to appear in Google’s search results?

Appear higher for relevant search queries by using SEO.

SEO is the process of helping search engines discover and understand your site so they can display your site’s pages for relevant queries.

Optimize your site well to increase its chances of ranking higher on the search results pages. And receiving lots of organic traffic.

Read these guides to get a foundational knowledge of SEO:

Then, invest in SEO tools that help you find valuable keywords, track your rankings, improve your site’s technical performance, and so much more.

Semrush provides 55+ such tools in one platform. Sign up for a Semrush account to try them for free.

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