You've used Google as your search engine of choice for years, but are you getting the most out all the bells and whistles Google programmers have put into it? Take advantage of these tips and tricks to maximize your Google experience and have some fun in the process.
Calculate Time Zones
If time zones have always confused you, you're in luck. To find out what time it is in any place in the world, type “what time is it in <insert location>” into Google. Thanks to Google Instant, which predicts what you will type and pops up results while you’re typing, your location and its time will appear in seconds.
Strike Words from Searches
Say you’re searching for an alcohol treatment facility in Pennsylvania, but you don’t want to find any facilities in Pittsburgh. Type “alcohol treatment facility -Pittsburgh” into the Google search box. Any results that contain the word “Pittsburgh” will be taken out of your results. This is a great way to more narrowly tailor your search, especially if you know exactly which words you don’t want to appear in the search.
Search for Specific File Types
If you only want to search for results that are of a specific file type, use your search terms in quotes along with “filetype:file extension.” For example, if you wanted to search for PDFs about Golden Retrievers, type ““golden retrievers” filetype:pdf” into the Google search box.
Search Other Websites
If you’ve ever tried to browse a website without a built-in search function – or a mediocre one – you’ll love this next trick. You can search any website for a specific term by typing ““your search term” site:www.URL.com” into the Google search box.
Look Up Phone Numbers
Think of all those times an unknown number shows up on your cell phone. You can use Google as a phone by typing “phonebook:<insert number>” into the Google search box. You don't need to include the 1 at the beginning of the number, but be sure to include the area code. Google will then show you any information about that number from whitepages.com.
Check Your Stock Performance
If you’re a stock market junkie, you'll love using Google to get the latest financials and charts for your stocks. Just type a stock’s ticker symbol into the Google search box.
Fun With Numbers
Rather than loading up the Calculator application on your computer, you can use Google as a calculator without ever leaving your browser. Just type your problem into Google, along with the necessary symbol (+, -, *, /), and click search. It’s amazing how Google can replace many of the apps you think you need to stay organized.
