Tip of the Week: Improving Your Google Searches

Google is the standard for online searches. It seems to be as simple as can be. Think of a question, type it in, get an answer. However, not many people likely know just how specific you can make these Google searches with just a few details. Let’s go over how to use Google most effectively as you search the Internet.

Exact Phrase Searches

Google can search for phrases verbatim, seeking out the exact words in the exact order they are written out. All you need to do is enclose your search query in quotation marks. For instance, you could find out exactly how to best protect your business by searching for “business security best practices,” which would only return results that contained the phrase “business security best practices” somewhere in them.

Searching a Specific Website

If you want to use Google to search a particular website, it is super easy to do so. All you need to do is start your search with the specific website’s URL and a colon before you input your search term.

For example, if you wanted to invest in a new case for a laptop while taking advantage of your Prime account, you could do a quick Google search for amazon.com:laptop case. Your results page will appear as a collection of relevant product listings on Amazon.

Excluding Search Results

There are many potential results that you don’t want included in any given search, as it just makes it more of a hassle to find the information you need. You can tell Google to eliminate these results from the list by typing a dash after your search query and specifying a term that would return an unwanted result.

For instance, if you wanted to find out who in your area offers IT services but wanted to avoid quick-fix repair-focused services, you could search for IT services near me -break/fix.

Search in a Range

Google also allows you to restrict your search to results that fall within a specific range, making it easier to seek out results that would fall within a searcher’s preferences. This can be accomplished by including two “dots” between numbers in your search. Need a new office chair? Search for office chair $50..$125, and you’ll see results that fall within that price range.

Searching for Multiple Queries

While it may not be the most used capability, Google can be used to run multiple searches at once. All you must do is split up your different searches with a vertical bar.

Let’s assume that you needed comprehensive IT services to businesses. You could type in the assorted offerings you’d be interested in, like services|backup|disaster recovery, to find the provider who offers the most in your area.

Chances are, it’ll be us that pops up anyway, so while you’re here, reach out to us to learn more about the IT solutions and services we provide for businesses. Give us a call at (205) 208-0340 today!