Google Search Tips and Tricks

Plus symbol (+)

The plus symbol includes certain keywords in your search results. To use this operator, put it in front of a certain keyword you want to be included.

1. Search Google for the keyword apple. Record how many results you get, and what kind of results you get.

2. Search Google for the keywords apple +fruit. Record how many results you get, and what kind of results you get.

Minus Symbol (-)

The minus symbol excludes certain keywords from your search results. To use this operator, put it in front of a certain keyword you do not want to be included.

1. Search Google for the keywords restaurants near me. Record how many results you get, and what kind of results you get.

2. Search Google for the keywords restaurants near me -breakfast. Record how many results you get, and what kind of results you get.

Quotation Marks (" ")

Quotation marks include exact phrases in the order you typed them in your search results. To use this operator, put them around exact quotes or phrases. 

1. Search Google for the keywords free cookie recipes. Record how many results you get, and what kind of results you get.

2. Search Google for the keywords "free cookie recipes". Record how many results you get, and what kind of results you get.

Site:url

Typing site: and the URL of a website, allows you to search within just that website. To use this operator, type site: and then the URL of the website you want to search within.

1. Search Google for the keyword cheetah. Record how many results you get, and what kind of results you get.

2. Search Google for the keywords cheetah site:www.nationalgeographic.com. Record how many results you get, and what kind of results you get. 

Filetype:extension

This operator allows you to search google for a certain file type. To use this operator, type filetype: and then the file extension. For example filetype:pdf 

1. Search Google for the keyword mitosis. Record how many results you get, and what kind of results you get.

2. Search Google for the keywords mitosis filetype:ppt. Record how many results you get, and what kind of results you get.