The world's most powerful search engine can do much more than just find information. The full G-suite is a game-changer, and many of us have uploaded our entire digital existence to Drive. But most users don't even realize how much power this simple browser gives them, thanks to the many features and tricks Google offers.
- Advanced Google search features
Everyone knows how to do a simple Google search. However, experienced users prefer the advanced search feature, which helps refine your results. You can find websites with specific words, exact phrases, numbers, languages, and regions, among other parameters.
While searching, tap on Settings just below and to the right of the main text field and look for Advanced Search. You will see several search fields. There, you can filter your searches in any way you want.
If you can't find something on a particular site because its search function doesn't exist, there's a field in Google's advanced search where you can search by site or domain. For media, you can search by image size or aspect ratio, color, region, or even filter results by usage rights.
- Quick and easy search methods
If you don't need all the filters that come with Advanced Search, you can use various shortcuts for regular searches. For example, if you're looking for something exact, add quotes around the word or phrase you're searching for (e.g., "The Man in the High Tower").
Need to exclude a word? Place a minus sign (-) in front of the word you don't want. Add a plus sign (+) in front of each word you want to highlight as important.
You can also search a website directly by placing the website name right in front of the URL. It should look something like this:
site: komando.com “google”
You can use the same method to search for related content.
Put @ in front of a word to search social media or add # in front to search for hashtags. Use * instead of an unknown word or as a placeholder. You can even search within a range of numbers like this: 2002..2018.
- Stay informed, easily
Want to take a quick look at today’s weather? Assuming your device knows where you are, Google the word “weather” and you’ll get a detailed daily forecast, along with forecasts for the next few days. You can also type “Weather in Athens” or anywhere else on the map and you’ll get a detailed weather update.
The same applies to traffic control in the area or the showtimes of a movie.
- Track your reservations
If you have flight reservations or dinner reservations through Gmail, you can see that information through Google. Just type in “my reservations” and all the relevant information will appear (as long as you’re already logged into your account). And since it’s your personal information, you’ll be the only one who can see those results.
However, you may want to check your privacy settings to make sure you're not sharing information that you want to keep private.
- Maths made easy
If you don't want to use the calculator app, simply type the math problem or equation you want to solve into the search field to turn Google into a basic calculator. You can also type "calculator" into the search field.
Google can also do currency conversions and help you with geometry problems. Just type “solve” and fill in the rest. Google can even make graphs.
- Count down
This feature is extremely useful, especially in the kitchen or at the gym, where timer-based activities are common.
Google Countdown displays a default five-minute countdown clock, but you can change it to the length of time you need.
- Find the Origin of a Word
Many people use Google as a dictionary, typing a word and then “definition” into the search engine. But more than just a simple entry, Google also provides synonyms, antonyms, and (often) the word’s etymology – that is, the origin of the word.
- A practical translator
Are you traveling abroad? Google Translate can help you.
Simply select the language you want to translate to , then search for any word or phrase. Google Translate works in over 100 languages around the world.
- Run two searches at the same time
Most of us do one search at a time. If you're not sure what you're looking for, Google can combine searches. All you have to do is add your search terms and separate them.
- Find favorite authors
Type in a favorite author or one you've recently heard about from a friend. Typically, a series of book covers will appear at the top of the screen, showing the full works or titles associated with their name. Similar images will appear for actors, directors, and musicians.
- Metronome Feature
This feature is for musicians. If you need a little help with your music, let Google Metronome help you.
- Google Newspaper Archive
Google has archived thousands of newspapers as PDF files, many of which date back to the American Revolution.
You'll find events from all over the world, in many languages. Some collections are incomplete, but amateur historians will delight in this treasure trove of archived materials.
- Play games
Did you know that there are some games you can play using a simple search? Search for Pac-Man and the iconic arcade game will appear for free for everyone.
Other games, such as Atari Breakout and Zerg Rush, are also available to play directly through the browser.
- See the Retro Side of Google
As you may know, the Google search engine was founded in the year 1998. To celebrate its creation, the developers can show you exactly what the search engine looked like back then. Just type in “Google in 1998.”.
- Find Easter Eggs
What happens when you type “do a barrel roll” into Google? The entire screen starts spinning, like a plane doing aerobatic tricks.
The search engine has many “Easter Eggs,” which make Google respond in hilarious and unexpected ways when you type in the magic words.
