1. Think carefully about what you want to search
For example, using one word search terms will just throw up anything related to that word. As shown in the example below, typing in Philippines will show basically everything about the Philippines.
Search phrases will definitely help but you still need to be very specific. For example you want to know the distance between the Philippines and South Korea, you need to specify from what locations are you measuring the distance between the two countries.
Using search phrases for complex topics will definitely help to get quality results from Google. Of course, this has a limitation which will be discussed later.
2. Add context to your search
Search phrases are okay as long as you add the right context to what you are searching for. In our example above, the context of the distance between two specific locations in the Philippines and South Korea will help you get to the most accurate results or answers that you are looking for.
If you are having trouble searching for complicated topics, Google's advice is to start with a broad context and try to narrow it down as you go on. For example, you have forgotten how to compute algebraic expressions. If you just type in "algebraic expressions", you may get definitions.
If you add in "compute", you may see some examples on how it is computed.
But if you add in "tutorial", it may best help you as it may show step-by-step computations of algebraic expressions.
3. Avoid using insignificant words
Words like 'the', 'or' and 'is' are ignored by Google search so don't use them. You should also try simplifying your search terms. Instead of typing in "What Jollibee store delivers" try typing in "Jollibee delivery near me".
4. Use the tabs
Many people simply ignore this important part of Google Search. These tabs help you get to what you are actually searching for and trim your search time.
By default, you'll see the following tabs: All, Maps, Images, News, Videos. To see more Tabs, you just click More to show the tabs for Shopping, Books, Flights and Finance.
5. Don't ask Google if your answer to a question is correct or not
This is a common mistake when people type in very specific search phrases or questions. Many people will often be misled or misinformed as search results would often show results that will confirm your bias.
This mostly applies to political, religious or cultural questions which often are littered with fake news and conspiracy websites.
6. Double check your spelling
An additional or mispelled letter can show completely different results as shown in examples below. John Lemon is very different from the singer John Lennon unless you want the latter.
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| John Lemon |
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| John Lennon |
7. Use quotes
If you are looking for a specific word, use quotation marks so Google will just search specifically for results related to that word.
8. Use hyphen to exclude words or websites
If you are having trouble searching for results, you can try excluding certain words from showing up in your search results. Example if you are looking for any movie but your results shows a lot of animated movies and your don't want those, you can type in best movies -animated or best movies -cartoon.
9. Type in site to search within a website
For example, you want to search a certain news article in Philippine Daily Inquirer, just type in site:inquirer.net (keyword or search phrase)
10. Search results from a different country
Google now automatically redirects all searches to the country based on your IP address.
If you want search results from a different country, you can simply click the Settings on the lower left corner of Google search homepage and choose Search Settings.
On the next page scroll down and look for Region Settings. Click Show More and simply choose a country you want to search in and click save.
Please be wary that some search results may be displayed on their local language.
11. Search images using images
If you have an image and you are unfamiliar with it or you want to know where you might have seen it, you can search it on Google Images: https://www.google.com/imghp?hl=EN You can drag and drop the image on the search bar or click the camera button to upload the image manually.
12. Use voice search
Google allows you to search using your voice if ever you don't know the correct spelling of the term you want to search for. It is even useful if you want to know if the word is spelled correctly and how the word is correctly pronounced.
13. Use asterisk for unknown words
If you are searching for a specific quotation by a famous person or if you don't know the title of the song and you don't know all the lyrics, you can use asterisk in between those lyrics and phrases and Google may be able to find the exact quotation or song your are looking for.
14. Use related: tag
This is useful for searching websites that are similar to a website that you already know. For example, you want to find other shopping websites that are like Shopee or Lazada, just type in related:shopee.com.ph or related:lazada.com.ph
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