Google search is hands down the most popular search engine on the internet. The engine was launched on September 15, 1997. Google (NASDAQ: GOOGL) is currently the leading search engine worldwide with a market share of 61.9 percent in July. Last month, Google boasted a total 9.9 billion searches.
Even though Google is the biggest search engine in the world, not everybody exploits its full potential. Some tricks will allow users to optimize the results. Here are a few tricks to use Google like a pro.
Quotation Marks: Using quotation marks is pretty useful to find specific quotes. Google will find the exact phrase you typed between the quotes without changing the order or adding more words.
Using Filetype. To find a specific document, or information in a particular format, Filetype is a lifesaver. To use this trick you only need to type ‘Filetype:’ followed by the format. i.e Car Filetype:ppt. File types include ‘.pdf’ for PDF files, ‘.wav.’ and ‘.mp3’ for sounds recorded in specific formats, ‘.ppt for Powerpoint presentations’.
Minus sign. Sometimes some unwanted information will keep popping up on searches. The minus sign will exclude the word typed just after it. The only exception is words that use a hyphen.
Weather and Forecast. Google is the easiest way to find weather information online. Type ‘weather’ followed by the name of a city. Google will give you details on the location’s weather before the first search result.
Flight Status. Simply typing the airline name and its airplane name will show the flight information, status and an estimated time of arrival.
Calculator and Tip Calculator. Google built a calculator and a tip calculator on its engine. Instead of using a calculator you can type your expression in the search bar and it will give you the answer. As for the tip calculator, just type tip calculator in the search bar and it will display a calculator with an adjustable bill, tip %, and the number of people splitting the bill.
Related Search. To discover new websites with similar contents to others just type ‘Related:’ followed by a site.
Timer. Google also features a built-in timer. Just enter the amount of time followed by the word ‘Timer’ and Google will display a timer.
Sunrise and Sunset. Simply typing the words sunrise or sunset followed by a location will display the estimated time of sunrise or sunset in the area.
Game Scores. To find out the result during a matchday of any sport just type the name of the team in the search bar. The engine will display the result of the team’s match as the first result.
Source: CNET