Feel Like A Google Amateur? Try These Tips To Go Pro

The Google search engine may have been designed for optimal ease of use, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t a little more for you to learn about using it more effectively.

Have you ever been so frustrated with Google that you gave up? Sometimes it feels like you just can’t get the wording right when you search for something, even though you know it’s out there.

Give these tips a try to get more out of Google (while also keeping your blood pressure at a healthy low):

1. Use Tabs

For starters, instead of first navigating to the Google home page, you can save yourself a step by using the browser of your choice to search right from the address bar. Your browser will automatically take you right to Google. When your results appear, make use of the tabs that display underneath the Google search bar to start narrowing down your results.

These tabs include All, News, Images, Videos, Shopping, Maps, and more. Use these tabs to streamline your search based on the information you’re trying to hunt down. If your search is focused on something more analytical than practical, use the Tools tab to narrow your results even further. There is a surprising amount of fine-tuning you can do directly from the main Google search and search results page, with minimal effort.

2. Use Advanced Search

One way to get to Advanced Search is right from the Settings tab. Another is from the Google home page under Settings, which is found in the lower right-hand corner of the page. Advanced Search is a fantastic resource when you need to find a very specific answer or piece of information or want to be extra sure that your results are as accurate as possible.

On the left-hand side of the Advanced Search screen, you’ll see a series of options listed under “Find pages with…” that don’t require punctuation or specific variables to generate results. Each option includes examples of how best to make use of that particular search parameter. The second series of options, listed under “Then narrow your results by…”, include options such as from “language” to “region” and more. Again, each option includes examples of how best to make use of that particular search parameter to the right of the search fields.

Filling in one, several, or all of these fields will help you to trim the fat from your searches, giving you results based on specific criteria instead of those based on keywords, traffic, or SEO-based search rankings.

3. Use Quick Answers

Need a conversion? Use the conversion calculator. Or ask a more generic question, such as local weather. The key is to save yourself an extra step by asking Google to show you what you want to know, instead of asking it to point you towards a site that will help you find what you want to know.

Instead of searching for “online calculator” or “equation help”, just type the equation directly into the search bar, and Google will automatically run the calculation for you and display the results in an online calculator directly at the top of the search results page.

The same goes for conversions. If you’re trying to figure out how many grams are equal to a specific measurement in ounces, instead of asking Google to find you an online conversion tool, just type your conversion into the search bar. Once again, Google will automatically figure the answer out for you and display the results in a conversion tool at the top of the search results page.

Google is an incredibly versatile and powerful search engine. Getting more out of your searches is as simple as letting Google do what Google does best by making use of the simple tools it offers.

Want to learn more about how you can increase your basic technology know-how? Give CTECH a call at (403) 457-1478 or info@ctechgroup.net today.

Written by Carl Fransen

posted on March 26, 2018

Carl Fransen

My passion is to make my mark on the world in a positive and lasting way. I want to set an example for my son that his father can compete with integrity in today’s world, be very successful, and leave the world a better place for him.

Combining my technical/business-based education with a long career steadily progressing up the corporate ladder, I decided to build a company that held true to my values. So, I founded and designed the next generation of IT support firm: CTECH Consulting Group Inc. We are a completely automated, cloud-based IT company designed to compete against any other IT firm without the overhead. We promote a lifestyle to all our staff where they can work anywhere, at any time, access any information on any device that is relevant to their job, and collaborate with anyone they want to.