There is certainly no need for a lengthy introduction to this post. We all know that Google has some extremely useful shortcuts and advanced search operators. If used properly while conducting a search, they can save precious time and bring us directly to the information we seek. I think of it as searching smarter.
Below you will find a list of the top five Google shortcuts and search operators that I feel save me the most time on a regular basis. I list out each operator or shortcut, its purpose, and examples of its use. The list is in reverse order, saving the best for last.
5. define: – Provides short definitions for words, acronyms, or common phrases. Google aggregates this info from other websites and links the definitions to their original source. This operator can be extremely handy when you need the rough meaning of a word in an instant.
- Examples:
- define:rss – get the definition of the acronym RSS
- define:aspiration – get the definition of aspiration
4. address, city, state – A quick and dirty shortcut for mapping out a physical address using Google Maps. Once the address is mapped out, Google Maps provides you with “to” and “from” shortcuts that can be used to create driving directions. With all my recent business travel, this shortcut has saved hours of my life that would have otherwise been spent on MapQuest… which makes MapQuest obsolete.
- Examples:
- 1600 Amphitheatre Parkway, Mountain View, CA, 94043 – Shortcut map of Google’s headquarters.
- 701 First Avenue, Sunnyvale, CA, 94089 – Shortcut map of Yahoo’s headquarters.
3. site: – Used for concentrating a Google search on a single website or domain name. There are so many websites out there with flawed search functionality or no search capability at all. This operator is the solution for saving time when you need to find a certain piece of information on an unorganized website.
- Examples:
- site:problogger.net make money – Search for articles containing “make money” on ProBlogger.
- site:lifehacker.com google music search – Search for articles about “google music search” on Lifehacker.
2. filetype: – Filters a search result so that it only includes documents of a specific file format. Say you are conducting research online and need to find whitepapers that are typically stored in PDF format, this simple Google operator is the answer… a true time saver for online research.
- Examples:
- filetype:pdf blogging – Search for PDFs on blogging.
- filetype:doc search engine optimization – Search for word processing documents on search engine optimization.
1. allinanchor: – Conducts a search based on keywords used strictly in the anchor text, or linking text, of third party sites that link to the web pages returned by the Google search. In other words, this operator filters your search results in a way such that Google ignores the actual textual content of the web pages, but instead bases the search result relevance on the keywords other sites use to reference it. This search operator can help you save large quantities of time when a normal textual based search query does not fetch the information you desire. Sometimes you can get a better idea of the content located within a website by reading how the mass refers to that site’s content.
- Examples:
- allinanchor:google hacks – Search for websites that other pages link to concerning the topic of Google hacks.
- allinanchor:wordpress exploits – Search for websites that other pages link to concerning the topic of WordPress exploits.
There are several other useful Google shortcuts and advanced search operators not mentioned here, but these five are the true time savers I can’t live without.
I don’t even know how I ended up here, but I thought this post was good. I don’t know who you are but
certainly you are going to a famous blogger if you aren’t already 😉 Cheers!
I do not even know how I ended up here, but I thought this post was great.
I don’t know who you are but certainly you are going to a famous blogger if you aren’t already 😉 Cheers!
Hi there, I enjoy reading all of your article. I wanted to write a little comment to
support you.
Hi there, I found your website by means of Google at the same time as looking for a comparable topic,
your site got here up, it appears to be like great.
I have bookmarked it in my google bookmarks.
Hello there, just turned into aware of your weblog via Google, and located that it’s truly informative. I am gonna be careful for brussels. I’ll appreciate if you proceed this in future.
Many other folks shall be benefited out of your writing.
Cheers!
Incredible! This blog looks just like my old one! It’s on a totally different topic but it has pretty much the same page layout and design. Great choice of colors!
Hey just wanted to give you a quick heads up. The words in
your post seem to be running off the screen in Ie. I’m not sure if this is a formatting issue or something to do with internet browser compatibility but I figured I’d
post to let you know. The design look great though!
Hope you get the issue solved soon. Cheers
Incredible quest there. What occurred after?
Take care!
Excellent weblog here! Also your site a lot up very fast!
What web host are you using? Can I am getting your affiliate link for
your host? I desire my site loaded up as fast as yours
lol
I’m really enjoying the design and layout of your blog. It’s a very easy
on the eyes which makes it much more enjoyable for me to come here and
visit more often. Did you hire out a developer to create your theme?
Great work!
hey there and thank you for your info – I’ve certainly picked up anything new from right here. I did however expertise several technical points using this web site, since I experienced to reload the web site lots of times previous to I could get it to load correctly. I had been wondering if your hosting is OK? Not that I’m
complaining, but slow loading instances times will sometimes affect your placement in google and
can damage your quality score if advertising and marketing with Adwords.
Anyway I’m adding this RSS to my email and can look out for a lot more of your respective fascinating content. Make sure you update this again very soon.
Souls in the Waves
Good Early morning, I just stopped in to visit your website and considered I’d say I loved myself.
My spouse and I stumbled over here by a
different web page and thought I should check things out.
I like what I see so now i’m following you. Look forward to checking out your web page for a second time.
Great work! This is the kind of information that are supposed to be shared around the internet.
Disgrace on the search engines for now not positioning this publish higher!
Come on over and visit my web site . Thanks =)
I’m no longer sure the place you are getting your info, but great topic. I must spend some time studying more or understanding more. Thanks for great info I used to be in search of this information for my mission.
I for all time emailed this web site post page to all my contacts, as if like
to read it afterward my friends will too.
Woman of Alien
Perfect operate you might have performed, this website is de facto interesting with amazing details. Time is God’s means of keeping every thing from occurring without delay.
I have read so many articles or reviews
concerning the blogger lovers except this piece of writing is actually a fastidious
article, keep it up.
Hi there to every body, it’s my first pay a quick visit of this web site; this website contains amazing and actually excellent data for readers.
Your style is so unique compared to other
people I’ve read stuff from. Many thanks for posting when you have the opportunity, Guess I’ll just bookmark
this web site.
Hello, I log on to your new stuff on a regular basis.
Your humoristic style is awesome, keep up the good work!
Hi all, here every person is sharing these
knowledge, therefore it’s good to read this web site, and I used to visit this blog everyday.
hello!,I like your writing very a lot! percentage we keep
in touch extra approximately your article on AOL?
I need a specialist on this area to resolve my problem.
Maybe that’s you! Having a look forward to peer you.
It is appropriate time to make some plans for the long run and it’s time to be happy. I have read this submit and if I may just I wish to suggest you some attention-grabbing issues or suggestions. Maybe you could write subsequent articles relating to this article. I wish to read more issues about it!
I am really delighted to read this blog posts which carries plenty of
valuable information, thanks for providing such statistics.
Spot on with this write-up, I honestly believe that this site needs
much more attention. I’ll probably be back again to see more, thanks for the advice!
Hi! I could have sworn I’ve been to this website before but after browsing through some of the post I realized it’s new to me.
Nonetheless, I’m definitely delighted I found it and I’ll be bookmarking
and checking back frequently!
I love it whenever people get together and share thoughts.
Great website, stick with it!
I do not even know how I ended up here, but I thought this post was good.
I don’t know who you are but definitely you’re going to
a famous blogger if you aren’t already 😉 Cheers!
Hi to every single one, it’s really a fastidious for me to go to see this site, it consists of priceless Information.
Attractive section of content. I just stumbled upon
your site and in accession capital to assert that I get in fact enjoyed account your blog posts.
Anyway I’ll be subscribing to your augment and even I achievement you access consistently rapidly.
I’m not sure where you are getting your information, but great topic. I needs to spend some time learning more or understanding more. Thanks for excellent information I was looking for this information for my mission.
I’ve read a few good stuff here. Certainly worth bookmarking for revisiting. I wonder how so much attempt you set to create this type of fantastic informative website.
thanks
What’s up i am kavin, its my first time to commenting anyplace, when i read this paragraph i thought i could also make comment due to this sensible paragraph.
Can I simply say what a comfort to discover
someone that really understands what they’re talking about over the internet. You certainly realize how to bring a problem to light and make it important. A lot more people need to look at this and understand this side of the story. I can’t believe you’re not more popular because you surely possess the gift.
Unquestionably believe that that you said. Your favorite reason seemed to be on the
internet the easiest factor to take note of. I say to you, I certainly
get annoyed whilst folks consider concerns that they just don’t recognise about. You managed to hit the nail upon the top and also outlined out the whole thing with no need side effect , people could take a signal. Will likely be back to get more. Thanks
Very good article! We will be linking to this great content on our site.
Keep up the great writing.
Keep on writing, great job!
Pretty nice post. I just stumbled upon your blog and wanted to say that I’ve really enjoyed surfing around your blog posts. After all I’ll
be subscribing to your rss feed and I hope you write again soon!
Do you mind if I quote a couple of your articles as long as I provide credit
and sources back to your blog? My website is in the very same niche as yours and my visitors would genuinely
benefit from some of the information you present here.
Please let me know if this alright with you. Thanks!
Google
The time to read or check out the content material or internet sites we have linked to beneath.
I’m amazed, I must say. Seldom do I encounter a blog that’s equally educative
and engaging, and let me tell you, you have
hit the nail on the head. The issue is something which not enough people
are speaking intelligently about. Now i’m very happy I came across this in my hunt for something concerning this.
It’s truly a nice and helpful piece of information. I’m satisfied that you just shared this useful info with us.
Please stay us up to date like this. Thank you for sharing.
It is really a great as well as useful bit of facts.
I’m satisfied that you simply contributed this specific
helpful information along with us. Please stay united states
informed in this way. Many thanks for sharing.
you are most welcome