Learn How to use Google Search and other Search Engine
Google is full of features, it lets you search for almost anything, but sometimes you have to search through its pages to get the site that you are looking for. Here are some basic searching tips and tricks to help you get the most out of your Google searches.
How to formulate a good search string?
1. Exact Phrase:
Lets say you are searching for a content on internet marketing. Instead Instead of just typing internet marketing into the Google search box, you will likely be better off searching explicitly for the phrase. To do this, simply enclose the search phrase within double quotes."the exact phrase" will look for the exact phrase. (google isnt case sensitive)
Example: "Linux tutorial"
2. Exclude Phrase
Lets say you want to search viruses , but when we search for viruses most of the result relates to computer viruses. To do this, simply use the "-" sign in front of the word you want to exclude.
Example: virus -computer
3. OR Operator
Google include all the terms that you specify in search. Lets say you want to get result of either linux or vps. To do this, use OR operator or | symbol.
Example: Smoke | Fire, Smoke OR Fire
4. Specific Document Search:
Suppose you are looking for a presentation on the internet to ease your homework. You can search for google for only that particular filetype. Google can recognize most common filetypes.
Example: History Art filetype:ppt
5. Search in a particular Site
Very ofter you need to search for a particular phrase or keyword on a particular site. If the site doesnt provide you with a search engine, you can use google search to search that particular site by suffixing site:sitedomain.com
Example: vpn site:ibm.com, Linux site:microsoft.com, vpn site:edu filetype:pdf
6. Synonyms and Similar word/phrase
Let’s say you are want to include words or synonyms that are related to your search words. To do this, use the "~" in front of the word.
Example: "linux guide" ~fedora
7. PhoneBook
Let's say you want to check for a phone number and get the basic details of that number
Example: phonebook:999-999-9999
8. Word Definitions
Let's say you are given a homework to look up definitions. You can quickly look up for definitions using "define:" as prefix followed by your word.
Example: define:watt
9. Searching in url and page title
You can search in urls using inurl modifier. Similarly you can use intitle modifier.
Example:allinurl:suburl term in the url
allintext:text terms in the text of the page
allintitle:title terms in the html title of that page
allinanchor:link terms in the links
10. Google Calculator
In the google search, type in an equation. Suppose you want to find out the square root of 253?
Example:(100+413*4-313=), (sqrt(253))
11. Numeric Ranges
Lets say you have to look up a result between a time/range, searching for something in a particular range/time period and adding the time/range will give you the desired results.
Example: olympics 1900..1940
12. Searching in google Cache
If you are looking for some older/cache version of website you can directly search in Google cache. Try cache:domain.com and see the cached pages.
Example: cache:pagerankandalexa.com
Google Advanced Search
Almost All options that i have mentioned above are available through advanced search.
Happy Googling... ;)
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