Anyone even remotely familiar with the internet is aware that Google is the most used search engine online. And if you’re like the majority of internet users, you only use Google’s most basic and minimal capabilities. Here are some useful, interesting, and creative ways you can use the search engine.

1. Explicit Phrase Matching – Instead of typing high school baseball type in “high school baseball” (in quotes). This means your results will be more closely tailored toward high school baseball, instead of high school football, or professional baseball.

2. Use Word Exclusions – Similar to negative keywords in Google AdWords, negatives in the search bar will not return results with those keywords included. Just include a “-“ in front of any exclusion words. For example, typing Engine Repair -honda would yield results for engine repair shops pages which did not reference Hondas on their website.

3. Site Specific Searches – Even if a site does not allow you to search within it, Google does. Typing into the search box “LeBron James” site:www.nba.com returns results of pages within www.nba.com which reference King James. Similarly, searching for “PPC” site:www.trimarksolutions.com will return all pages within www.trimarksolutions.com in which we reference our PPC advertising.

4. Similar Word Searches – Searching for “computer networks” ~technician would return results for computer networks which also included terms that were similar to technician. Adding a “~” symbol in front of a word will look for synonyms of the word. Google’s newest LSI technique is getting very good at recognizing synonyms and similar context for specific keywords, but using the “~” search technique ensures that synonyms will be included in search results. More information regarding LSI can be found here.

5. Document Type Searching – Let’s say you only want to return pdfs on a particular subject. Searching for “turtles” filetype:pdf or “turtles” filetype:ppt will return only pdfs or PowerPoint files (respectively) for turtles.

6. Searching Using OR – Unless capitalized, or will usually get filtered out of search queries. However, if both letters are capitalized, OR will return results for both topics listed individually, such as Pens OR Pencils.

7. Area Code Lookup – Perhaps the simplest of all Google Search inquiries, just enter the 3 digit area code and you will instantly be given results showing where that area code is located.

8. Numerical Ranges – Searching for Presidents between 1920 and 1935? Simply enter president 1920..1935 to get a results which only mention presidents within these time periods. (Note: Between the time periods, place 2 periods, and no spaces)

9. Real-Time Stock Tickers – Simply type in a valid ticker symbol and Google will return current financial results as well as a quick thumbnail stock chart.

10. Calculator Tool – All computers now have a built in calculator, but simply typing short equations into Google is often much quicker for single entries. For example, typing in 54112 + 6645 will return 60757.

11. Definition Search – This is my favorite Google Search feature, define:word. Entering define:juxtaposition will return a list of Google search results defining the word juxtaposition. The define feature is especially useful for authors, copywriters, or anyone who does a lot of intense reading.

12. Time In City Search – Typing in Time in Moscow will return the exact time in Moscow. This feature is very helpful for companies with clients worldwide, as the “time in” search works anywhere on the globe.

13. Currency Converter Search – Typing in 500 USD in GBP will return 310 British Pounds, the current conversion rate of $500 into Great Britain Pounds. This works with any currency conversions.

14. Measurement Conversions Searches – Distances and amounts can also be converted from Metric to English to any other common method of value. Typing in 8500 CM in Miles yields 0.05 miles, and entering 7 miles in yards returns a value of 12320.

Some of these interesting search functions are very useful, others are more entertaining, and some are highly functional. However 75%+ of Google users never take advantage of these impressive features. Now you can save a little time searching for conversion tables and world clocks, by simply using Google’s built in search capabilities. Google is constantly creating unique new search capabilities, and judging by how impressive and accurate these are, I can’t wait to see what they unveil next.

Tags: Google Search, How-to, Tips

This entry was posted on Wednesday, January 27th, 2010 at 8:11 am and is filed under Internet Marketing, SEO - Tip of The Day. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.