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Google Like a Pro: 7 Helpful Tips for Using Google Search Engine

Google Like a Pro: 7 Helpful Tips for Using Google Search Engine

Have you heard of a handy website called Google? Of course, you have! In all likelihood, you found this article through a Google search. For over two decades, Google has dominated the internet, offering one of the most robust search engines available. And while other search engines, like Bing or Yahoo, compete for the space that Google occupies, Google still reigns supreme. Suffice to say, if you’ve been on the internet for any amount of time, you’ve almost certainly used the Google Search Engine. However, what you likely haven’t done is take advantage of the multiple “hacks” and shortcuts Google implements as part of its search engine. Allow 309 Marketing to provide you with a few helpful tips to maximize the way you “Google.”

Tip #1: Use Tabs

This tip is perhaps the most obvious of the bunch, and there’s a good chance you’re already familiar with it. When searching in Google Search Engine, your search result page will populate with a list of results you can scroll through. However, right above that list but below the search bar are a selection of several tabs labeled Images, Shopping, Videos, News, etc. Using these tabs, you instruct Google only to show results related to your keyword and under the category of the tab you select. Doing so limits your search results and helps you find what you’re looking for faster.

Tip #2: Use Quotation Marks

Hypothetically, say you wanted to search for something like clown car repair. Perhaps it’s not the most likely of phrases, but you never know when you might encounter a party of clowns broken down on the side of the road; stranger things have happened! In this scenario, to be helpful to the poor clown family in distress, you get on your phone and search for clown car repair. However, instead of immediately finding a handyperson who specializes in fixing clown cars, you get results for local clowns, regular repair shops, where you can buy clown cars, etc. To avoid such confusion, put quotes around the phrase “clown car repair.” Google now knows to search for the exact phrase you put into quotes, helping you find exactly what you need.

Tip #3: Use Asterisks

This next tip is one of the less known features of Google Search Engine: the use of asterisks. If there is a search term you are trying to look up but are unfamiliar with exactly what to be looking for, asterisks can help. For example, say you recently heard a catchy tune but can’t remember what it was called. Worse yet, you only half remember some of its lyrics! Thankfully, even with minimal knowledge of the song, Google can help you find it. Just type in the part of the lyrics you know, and put asterisks in place of the missing words. Your search might look something like:

  • Hello * my old * I’ve come to * again

While that might look like nonsense, Google will immediately recognize it as lyrics to the Simon & Garfunkel classic, The Sound of Silence. And you can use this asterisk trick for more than song lyrics!

Tip #4: Searching Multiple Terms

You’re a busy person, and you don’t have time to be searching terms individually! At least, that’s one reason why you might wish to search two terms at once on Google. However, it’s more likely that you have two keywords or phrases in mind but aren’t sure which will give you the results you need. Thankfully, we can use quotation marks again to help! By placing both the phrases you’re searching for in separate quotations, Google will perform a search based on those exact queries. For example, try searching:

  • “best internet marketing practices” OR “how to advertise my business online”

While these phrases are similar, they each pull different results. Entering both into Google Search Engine will show you the combined results of each term.

Tip #5: Searching for Related Sites

If you spend a significant amount of time on the internet, you likely have a few favorite sites you choose to visit. However, if those sites have become less relevant, dull, or unable to provide you with the content you need, it’s time to search for a new website. And if you are looking for a similar site to one of your favorites, Google can help. By searching your favorite site with the syntax “related:” before it, Google will pull up a list of similar websites. For example, if you want to read the news from more sites than USA Today, try searching:

  • related:usatoday.com

Google will prepare a list of additional news sites similar to USA Today. However, keep in mind that the “related:” search does not work for every website.

Tip #6: Searching One Site

There happens to be a particular recipe for apple pie you found online that you’d love to use again. Try as you might, the recipe doesn’t appear among the countless results related to what you searched. Are you doomed to find another recipe? If you happen to remember the site you first saw the article, Google has you covered. Try searching:

  • Apple Pie site:tasty.co

Google will only search the Tasty website for all content related to apple pies. Using “site:[SITE URL]” after your search term ensures Google will only search that one website.

Tip #7: Find Outside Links

This last tip might be less used than some of the previous tips but is a valuable tool if trying to see the relevancy of your own website or personal links. Rather than searching for a direct link, Google allows you to “reverse engineer” your search by looking for all the sites where your link can be found. For internet marketers like 309 Marketing, this Google feature is especially helpful for tracking website backlinks. Try searching:

  • link:usatoday.com

The following search results should show you external sites that aren’t USA Today but feature a link to usatoday.com. Using “link:” before a URL, you can pinpoint where any site page is currently being linked.

BONUS TIPS

The following are less of “tips” and more along the lines of helpful shortcuts you can use in your Google search. Here are a few shortcuts you can try for yourself!

  • Math – Much like a calculator, placing an equation into Google’s search bar will result in Google solving your math problem. Try searching:
    • 10*12+15
  • Conversions – Not sure what the time is on the East Coast compared to the West Coast? Unsure how measurements in the metric system relate to the imperial system? Google can quickly convert measurements, time, currency values, and more. Try searching:
    • 8 AM EST to PST
    • 12 inches to centimeters
    • 100 USD to Euro
  • Weather – If you’d like a quick outlook on today’s weather for a specific area, search “weather” in Google with your zip code attached. You can also use the name of a town or city in place of the zip. Try searching:
    • Weather 61614
    • Weather Peoria, IL
  • Definitions – If questioning the definition of a word, allow Google to help. Use “Define:” before the word you wish to search, and Google will give you its definition (courtesy of dictionary.com). Try searching:
    • Define:defenestration
  • Track Packages – Rather than searching for the website of the company delivering your package and navigating to its tracking page, you can track packages directly through Google. It’s as simple as typing your tracking number into Google’s search bar and hitting Enter!
Google Like a Pro: 7 Helpful Tips for Using Google Search Engine

Talk with Google Experts

Being an online marketing and website design company for businesses in Illinois, South Carolina, Arizona, Florida and throughout the US, 309 Marketing has learned a thing or two about Google Search Engine. Using our knowledge of search engine marketing and optimization (SEM and SEO), we can develop the best digital marketing strategy to promote your brand and business. If you are interested in the work 309 Marketing can provide for your company, contact us at 309-228-9640. Also, we are located at 311 SW Water St, Ste 201, Peoria, IL 61602.

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