From humble origins as a garage startup to a global tech giant, Google has redefined how we access information in the modern age. Near-synonymous with search, Google handles literally billions of queries each and every day. Over 90% of Brits prefer it over rival search engines.
But there’s more to it than just typing in a few words and hitting enter — here are some smarter ways to “Google it” and find what you need, faster.
Find the exact match with “quotes”
All right, you might know this one already, but it’s a biggie, so let’s get it out the way: if you want to find an exact phrase on Google, you can enclose it in “quotation marks” for an exact match.
Google’s algorithms are usually clever enough to understand the context — a search for ‘Best Headphones 2024’ would probably give the right results on its own. But there are times when specifics are needed. For product names (“Sony WH-1000XM5”) or exact phrases, adding speech marks can bring up better results.
Command your search
You can use AND and OR to refine your searches. A search for “cats AND dogs” will show results that include both animals, while “cats OR dogs” will show results with either one. You can also use the minus sign (-) to exclude unwanted words. For instance, Googling “pasta recipes -cheese ” will give you pasta dishes without the fromage.
Fill in the blanks with an asterisk *
An asterisk (*) works as a placeholder to fill in pesky missing words, helping you complete your search when you don’t know the exact words. This is handy when you want to keep your search options open or, especially, when you can’t quite remember the full name of what it was you were after. What was the name of that pub? How did that song go again?
Search with an image
You can perform a reverse image search to find out what an image is (or where it appears online). Just click on the camera icon on the search bar and upload your pic. Based on Google Lens, this is a useful tool when it comes to desktop files or URLs rather than real world objects.
Define a search period with AFTER, BEFORE, “..”
If you’d like to know what the world thought about a topic this time last year, or perhaps a decade ago, you can use the time operators, BEFORE and AFTER. For a specific range, use two dots (..) like “2005..2010”. Alternatively, click ‘Any Time’ at the top of the search results and set your own specific range in the dropdown.
Hit the jackpot with price ranges (£X..£Y)
You can also use those two dots to search within a price range. For example, “smartphones £200..£500” will show you only smartphones priced between £200 and £500.
Use site: to search within one website
Use the “site:” command to search for results from only one website. This trick lets you explore specific sites without getting lost in the wider web. Say you’re looking for a good cheesecake recipe, for example, rather than wading through all those overly-long baking recipe blogs, you could enter “site:bbc.co.uk cheesecake recipe” to view results only from the beeb.
Use site: for results only from one domain extension
As mentioned, site: is there to explore specific websites. Not so well-known is that you can use it to search for results only within certain extensions (TLDs).
This can be really useful when it comes to country code (ccTLD) extensions. For example, “site:.co.uk fashion” will show fashion-related search results only from UK websites. It’s a great way to discover country-specific news, products, or services. Similarly, entering “site:.ai artificial intelligence” would bring up content only from .AI domains.
Keep it close with AROUND(#)
Use AROUND(#) to find search terms sitting close to each other — not on maps, but on a webpage. Add a number in the brackets to specify how close you want these terms to be.
eg., “Love AROUND(5) Betrayal” would find texts and documents where “love” and “betrayal” appear within 5 words of each other.
Convert currencies
Google lets you convert currencies instantly. Just type something like “1GBP to Euro” into the search bar, and you’ll see the equivalent amount in British pounds. Handy for viewing currency exchange rates fast.
Crunch numbers with a calculator
Google can be your on-the-go calculator. Simply type in your equation in the search bar and it’ll give you the answer. One advantage is that Google understands the context of your query: you can directly ask for calculations (like “10% of 200 plus 15% of 300”) without having to use the symbols.
Flip a coin (or roll the dice)
Type “Flip a coin” and Google does the job. This is useful if you want to resolve your office disputes like Harvey Dent from Batman, but you don’t have any cash. Typing in “Roll the Dice” does a similar trick.
Start a timer or stopwatch
Enter “Stopwatch” or “Timer” into the search bar and Google can help get soft hard boiled eggs done without a watch or other app.
Translate words or webpages
Need an interpretater? Type in words or phrases plus “in [language]” for instant translation. You can also translate entire web pages. When foreign language results in the search, click “Translate this page” and hey presto.
Find local fun with nearby events
You can use Google to discover events happening near you. Search for “Events near me” to find a variety of activities, from concerts, comedy gigs and festivals, to art exhibits and workshops.
Test your internet connection
Google has a no-nonsense inbuilt bandwidth checker. Just search for “Speed test” and click the ‘Run Speed Test’ button when it appears. In just a few moments, you’ll know your download and upload speeds.
Track down your lost devices
If you’re an Android user, Google can help you find your lost phone or tablet. Type “Find my phone” or “Find my device” into the search bar and you’ll see the location on the map. You’ll need to have ‘Find my device’ and location services set up on your Android device, of course.
For phones currently lost behind sofa cushions, play a sound. For devices feared stolen, you can reset the device from afar.
See how backlinks link back to your website
You can use the link: command followed by a URL to see which websites link back to a website. Use link:yourwebsite.com to see all pages that link back to your own site.
Backlinks are like votes of confidence in the eyes of search engines. The more high-quality backlinks you have, the higher your website is likely to rank in search results. So you can use this trick to track your backlink profile, understand your competitor’s strategy, and identify potential opportunities to improve your own website’s ranking.
Did you know: Search Engine Optimisation makes your website easier to find on search engines like Google. Local SEO targets local search, putting your business in front of customers in your area. With the right strategy, your website can become the top shop window on the digital high street.
See also: Learn How to Get Found with Local SEO
Search between dates
To find results from a specific time period, use can use “after:” and “before:”. For instance, searching for “electric car news after:2015 before:2020” will show news articles published between those dates.
Go askew
If you’re curious, type “Askew” into the search bar and prepare to be mildly impressed.
See Google’s most recent indexed version
Ever stumble upon a website that’s down or notice it’s changed drastically? Google’s cached version is a saved snapshot of a webpage as it appeared when Google last indexed it. Use cache: followed by the URL (eg., cache:example.com).
Go file fishing with filetypes
Use the filetype: command to search for specific types of files. For example, typing annual report filetype:pdf will show only PDF files, while filetype:doc will show only documents.
Enjoy 90s nostalgia with Google 1998
If you’re missing the 90s, stick Wannabe on the CD player and type “Google in 1998” into the search bar. You’ll be rewarded with the classic retro version of the search engine and a ruddy good time.
Play Pac-Man
Did somebody say Pac-Man? Seek, and ye shall find! Just enter the magic words and a playable version of the game will appear above the search results.
Create some Google Doodles
Doodles are those changes to the Google logo you see on the search home, often celebrating famous people, events, or holidays. While Google’s in-house artists create most, Doodle competitions do come up from time to time — giving you the chance to get your design on the Google homepage. Not exactly a hack, but could be a pretty impressive addition to your portfolio!
Experience a barrel roll
Put “Do a barrel roll” in the search bar to see the page spin 360. This is a playful nod to Star Fox, the game where the phrase originated (and a big hit at Google, apparently).
Get AI-powered answers
Artitifical Intelligence is making Google smarter. New “Snapshots” offer instant AI-powered answers at the top of results. AI also helps Google understand queries better, delivering more relevant results like summaries and news, as well as suggesting helpful questions or related topics.
As of now, there’s no guaranteed way to get a Snapshot answer through a standard Google Search — it’s a case of “getting lucky”, as they like to say. That said, queries starting “Tell me about…” tend to elicit an AI-generated reply.
And finally: Bypass Google – Use Gemini
Google’s answer to ChatGPT, Gemini is a generative artificial intelligence that underpins many of the search engine’s new features, like Snapshot summaries. Gemini is brilliant at understanding and responding to complex questions, often (though, not always!) delivering better answers than the top result on the search page. Combining AI and traditional search makes a powerful tool for finding what you need.
Gemini is a big step forward, but it’s just the beginning — it’s exciting to think that AI could completely change how we find things online. Will we even be using search engines in 10 years?
For more on AI, check out: 10 Ways AI Can Help Your Business Grow and Microsoft 365 Add-Ons to Power Your Small Business
