13 Google Search Tricks You're Not Using Yet

How many times have you felt that, despite writing exactly what you are looking for in Google, the results don't quite fit your intention? Everything can change if you learn to master a series of Google search tricks that we are going to tell you here.

In this article we review all advanced techniques, explanations and practical examples to extract gold from Google's search engine. From basic to more complex searches, including filters, secret operators, all kinds of commands, and recommendations used only by those who truly master the tool.

Types of Google searches: much more than text

Before we jump into the more specific tricks, it is important to understand that Google allows different forms of search, each one adapted to a need:

• Search by text: It's the most common and versatile. It allows you to apply all advanced commands and operators.
• Voice search: You can use the microphone to dictate your query, an increasingly sophisticated option that's very useful on your mobile phone or when you can't type.
• Search by image: By uploading a photo or pasting an image URL, Google will search for related results, the author, higher-quality versions, or pages where that image appears.
• Search by filters and sections: News, videos, images, maps, books, shopping... From a text search, you can filter the results by clicking on the appropriate category.

Plus, depending on whether you're searching from your mobile phone, desktop, or Google app, you'll get quick access to trending topics, popular topics, and other personalized recommendations. It is worth exploring the filtering tools and thematic modules which usually appear just below the search bar, because they can save you several clicks and a lot of confusion.

Basic search: foolproof tricks to use every day

Don't let the term "basic search" fool you. Even standard searches can be improved with small steps:

• Search as you think: Google is pretty smart—it can understand what you're searching for even with misspellings, synonyms, or similar words.
• Use double quotes ("..."): So that the results ONLY include that exact phrase, without alterations or words in between. Example: "global economic crisis" will show you exactly that sequence, without similar versions.
• Filter by section: After searching, click on Images, News, Videos, Shopping, or whatever else will get you closer to relevant information faster.

Google Advanced Operators and Commands: Your Best Secret Weapon

Let's get to the heart of the matter. Search operators are combinations of symbols and keywords Which, when used correctly, narrow down results and allow for incredibly precise searches. Here's the most complete, up-to-date, and explained list in Spanish from Spain:

1. Exact phrase and quotation mark combinations

• "exact word or phrase": Only results that include exactly what is in the quotes and in the same order will appear.
• Example: "educational technology in Spain" will return only pages with that exact sequence.

2. Inclusion and exclusion of terms

• + o AND: To force all words to be present, type the plus symbol or the AND operator between the terms.
• Example: digital marketing o digital AND marketing.
• - (script): For EXCLUDE a term, add a hyphen next to the word without a space.
• Example: news - sports will remove sports-related results.

3. Choice between several terms

• OR or the vertical bar |: To get results that include any of the terms. Very useful when you're not sure which one you need.
• Example: travel OR vacation o travel | vacation.

4. Search with wildcards and unknown words

• * (asterisk): It acts as a wildcard and any word can take its place.
• Example: better * to study I could give you “best computer for studying”, “best method for studying”…
• AROUND(N): Provides flexibility in how many words stand between two terms. Example: renewable energy AROUND(3) You will find phrases where “energy” and “renewable” appear, separated by up to 3 words.

5. Search by numeric ranges and dates

• .. (colon): Allows you to search within a numeric range. Example: laptop 300..600 euros shows models between that price.

6. Filtering sites, URLs, titles and text

• site:domain.com: Limits results to a specific site or domain.
• Example: site:elpais.com elections search for "elections" only in El País.
• inurl:word: Search for the word only in the page URL.
• intext:word: Searches exclusively in the body of the text.
• allinurl:, allintitle: y allintext:: : So that all the indicated terms have to appear in the URL, title or text respectively.
• inanchor:word: Search only in anchor texts (link texts).
• allinanchor:: Like the previous one, but requires that all terms be present.

7. Search for specific files or types of documents

• filetype: pdf: Filter by the file type you specify, for example PDF, DOCX, XLSX, PPT…
• Example: circular economy filetype:pdf

8. Explore related websites, information or links

• related:domain.com: Find pages with similar themes.
• info:domain.com: Displays information about the website.
• links:domain.com: Checks the pages that link to that domain (although this command has become less useful in recent years).

9. Search by location or geographic location

• location:city: Displays results limited to a specific location. Useful for news, events, or businesses.
• loc: followed by the location, allows you to do localized SEO searches.

10. Other searches: stock market, weather, time, maps and more

• stock:company: Reflects the company's stock status.
• weather:city: Gives the weather forecast for that location.
• time:city: Displays the current time in the indicated city.
• map:city o map:city: Direct results with maps of the area.

11. Search for definitions, translations and units

• define:word: Get the definition of any term instantly.
• translate word: Quickly translate a word or phrase.
• unit conversion: Type “20 euros to dollars” or “5 miles to kilometers” and you will get the direct conversion.

12. Advanced combinations, groupings and parentheses

• You can join operators, commands, and search for more complex structures using parentheses.
• Example: ("green energy" OR "renewable energy") AND Spain - solar

13. Safe search, domain and language filter

• At google settings can activate SafeSearch to exclude explicit content.
• You can also filter by domain (.org, .edu…) or by language.

How to use Google's advanced search step by step

Few know, but Google includes a specific advanced search page which allows you to easily combine multiple fields without having to remember operators. Here you can:

• Indicate all the words that the result should include.
• Search for exact phrases in quotes.
• Select words to exclude.
• Request matches for any of several terms (using OR).
• Restrict by range of numbers or dates.
• Filter by language, region, date, file type, domain, word location (title, URL, body…), usage rights, and more.

This is especially useful for academic work, professional research, or when you need to find reliable, up-to-date, and well-categorized information.

Tools and filters in the Google interface

In addition to the commands, Don't forget the filtering tools that appear after searchingClick "Tools" to display options such as date range (recent results), language, location, image size, color, usage rights, etc. Each section (Images, News, Videos, etc.) has its own special filters.

Latest tips and tricks to master Google

• Save your favorite searches as bookmarks for easy future reference.
• Experiment with new combinations and operators as the algorithm and interface evolve.
• Review your search history to quickly locate previous resources.
• For images, filter by usage rights to use them legally.

Thanks to this compilation, you can browse the internet more autonomously, find what you're looking for ultra-fast, and start applying tricks that neither your colleagues nor most people know.

Mastering advanced Google searches is a huge advantage in any digital field, from studies, research papers, online marketing, SEO, to everyday life searching for any information or data.  The art of finding what you need Start by knowing what to ask and how to ask, as well as using the right tools. Google, when used properly, puts almost all the world's knowledge at your fingertips in a matter of seconds.