Here are some nifty modifiers to type in your Google search
box to refine your searches and get the best results.
Exact Phrase
What it does: Searches for an exact phrase
What to type: “one small step for man”
What you’ll get: results that include the exact phrase “one small step for man”
Excluded Words
What it does: excludes search results with a particular word or phrase
What to type: bass -fishing
What you’ll get: results about bass that are not related to fishing
Similar Words
What it does: searches for a word and all its synonyms
What to type: ~mobile phone
What you’ll get: rresults with the word “phone,” as well as “cell,” “cellular,” “wireless,” etc.
Multiple Words
What it does: searches for webpages that include either word
What to type: “vacation” “London” OR “Paris”
What you’ll get: results with the word vacation and either London or Paris
Numerical Ranges
What it does: searches for a range of numbers
What to type: Willie Mays 1950…1960
What you’ll get: results about Willie Mays during this time period
Find Meanings
What it does: defines a word or phrase
What to type: define:plethora
What you’ll get: links to definitions of the word “plethora”
Site Specific
What it does: searches only particular websites
What to type: global warming site:edu
What you’ll get: references to “global warming” found on .edu websites
Linked Pages
What it does: searches for webpages that link to a particular website
What to type: link:www.umich.edu
What you’ll get: websites that link to the University of Michigan website
Math Answers
What it does: basic calculator functions
What to type: 4+7, 30% of 55, 20^2, sqrt(4), etc.
What you’ll get: the answer
Conversions
What it does: converts units of measure
What to type: cm in foot, 28C in F, $ in pound, days in fortnight, miles in league, mph in speed of light, etc.
What you’ll get: the converted answer
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