Google like a pro #8

Use Google as a conversion tool

You can use Google to convert all sorts of things - measurements, time, currency, and more. Type in convert from and to and it will give you the answer.
what you want to

For example: 16 inches to cm

or: 146 days to weeks

Google like a pro #7

Use Google as a timer or stopwatch

You can use Google as a timer by typing in set timer for [time]. It will bring up a timer, and start
counting down immediately.

You can also use Google as a stopwatch by searching for the word stopwatch.

Google like a pro #6

Search a range of numbers

You can make Google search for a number range by using to dots between the highest and lowest number in the range.


This is great when you are searching for events that happened in a particular date range, or when you are wanting to buy something and want to specify a price range.

Let's say you have an assignment that is looking at fashion in the 1960s. You can search for: Fashion 1960s, but you will get quite different results if you search for: fashion 1960..1969.

e.g.

Google like a pro #5

Using define: to look up the meaning of a word

Can't be bothered finding a dictionary? Easy, use Google as a dictionary!

Google will often provide a definition of a word if you only search for one word, but to make certain it does use define: before your word and Google will know to provide you with a definition. It will also sift through the web to provide you with definitions for acronyms.

e.g.

Google like a pro #4

Using site: to search within specific websites

You can use Google to search within a particular website using the site: function.

Let's say last week you saw a news article about Tasmanian devils on news.com, and now you want to find it again. You can search Google like this:

Tasmanian devils site:news.com



e.g.

This trick also works really well when you are watching a movie and want to know what other films one of the actors has been in search for the actors name, or film name and add site:imdb.com

Google like a pro #3

Using minus to exclude words

Sometimes when you search Google you will be flooded with results that you are not interested in because they used the word in a different way to you.

Let's say you were looking for information on jaguars - the big cat, not the car. But the results seemed to be all about the car. You can re-do the search using -cars (no spaces between the minus and the word you want to exclude), so Google knows to leave those pages out.

e.g.

Google like a pro #2

Using an asterisk within quotes when you are not sure of a word

You can still use quotation marks even when you are not certain of the exact wording of what you are looking for.

Let's say you and a friend are debating about a famous quote from a movie. You remember it differently to your friend, and neither of you can remember which film the quote came from. How do you work out who is right? Put the bit of the quote you both agree on, substituting any words you are not sure of with asterisks:

e.g.

Google like a pro #1

Using quotes to search for an exact phrase

You can make Google search exactly the same words in exactly the same order by using quotation marks.

This is great when you have copied and pasted something from a website and can't remember where you got it from. Simply copy the text into Google, put quotation marks around it, and the right website should come up near the top of your results.

It's also really good for find out the rest of the lyrics to that song you really like.

e.g.

Google like a Pro #9

Use Google as a conversion tool

You can use Google to convert all sorts of things - measurements, time, currency, and more. Type in convert from and to and it will give you the answer.
what you want to

For example: 16 inches to cm

or: 146 days to weeks

Google like a pro: Tip #8

Use Google as a timer or stopwatch

You can use Google as a timer by typing in set timer for [time]. It will bring up a timer, and start
counting down immediately.

You can also use Google as a stopwatch by searching for the word stopwatch.

Google like a pro: Tip #7

Search a range of numbers

You can make Google search for a number range by using to dots between the highest and lowest number in the range.


This is great when you are searching for events that happened in a particular date range, or when you are wanting to buy something and want to specify a price range.

Let's say you have an assignment that is looking at fashion in the 1960s. You can search for: Fashion 1960s, but you will get quite different results if you search for: fashion 1960..1969.

e.g.

Google like a pro: Tip #5

Using define: to look up the meaning of a word

Can't be bothered finding a dictionary? Easy, use Google as a dictionary!

Google will often provide a definition of a word if you only search for one word, but to make certain it does use define: before your word and Google will know to provide you with a definition. It will also sift through the web to provide you with definitions for acronyms.

e.g.

Google like a pro: Tip #4

Using site: to search within specific websites

You can use Google to search within a particular website using the site: function.

Let's say last week you saw a news article about Tasmanian devils on news.com, and now you want to find it again. You can search Google like this:

Tasmanian devils site:news.com



e.g.

This trick also works really well when you are watching a movie and want to know what other films one of the actors has been in search for the actors name, or film name and add site:imdb.com

Google like a pro - Tip #3

Using minus to exclude words

Sometimes when you search Google you will be flooded with results that you are not interested in because they used the word in a different way to you.

Let's say you were looking for information on jaguars - the big cat, not the car. But the results seemed to be all about the car. You can re-do the search using -cars (no spaces between the minus and the word you want to exclude), so Google knows to leave those pages out.

e.g.

Google like a pro: Tip #2

Using an asterisk within quotes when you are not sure of a word

You can still use quotation marks even when you are not certain of the exact wording of what you are looking for.

Let's say you and a friend are debating about a famous quote from a movie. You remember it differently to your friend, and neither of you can remember which film the quote came from. How do you work out who is right? Put the bit of the quote you both agree on, substituting any words you are not sure of with asterisks:

e.g.

Google like a pro: Tip #1

Using quotes to search for an exact phrase

You can make Google search exactly the same words in exactly the same order by using quotation marks.

This is great when you have copied and pasted something from a website and can't remember where you got it from. Simply copy the text into Google, put quotation marks around it, and the right website should come up near the top of your results.

It's also really good for find out the rest of the lyrics to that song you really like.

e.g.