Getting the Most Out of Google

GETTING THE MOST OUT OF GOOGLE
ADVANCED SEARCH OPTIONS
Common Words/Letters

Google ignores common words or letters ("the", "where", "how", "A" etc.) in a search phrase, even if the phrase is enclosed in quotes. This poses a problem if you are searching for a name or specific title.
Solution: Use the + (plus) sign before the common word or letter you want included.
Example:
Type "MICHAEL A. BROWN" and Google will search for "Michael Brown"
Type "MICHAEL +A. BROWN" and Google will search for "Michael A. Brown"

Excluding Words

Google allows you to search for pages that contain certain words or phrases but do not contain other word or phrases.
To exclude a word or phase from your search, use the - (minus) sign before that word or phrase.
Example:
Type APPLE to search for all pages which contain the word apple, including references to apple pie.
Type APPLE -PIE (be sure to include a space before the minus sign) to search for all pages that contain the word APPLE but do not contain the word PIE.
Useful if you are searching for "Joe Smith" who is a horse trainer in California, but there happens to be another "Joe Smith" who writes articles for the Bangor Daily News.
Type "JOE SMITH" -BANGOR to get results that exclude those articles.

Search A Specific Site

Google allows you to search for terms in a specific domain or site by using the "site:domainname.com" syntax.
Example:
You wish to search for the name "Jones" in the Cisco web site.
Type JONES SITE:WWW.CISCO.COM and Google will show all pages where "Jones" occurs in the Cisco website.
This is especially useful for corporate sites that do not contain a search option.

Back Links

Google allows you to see what pages are linked to a specific site by using the "link:domainename.com" syntax.
Example:
You wish to see what sites are linked to the Cisco corporate website.
Type LINK:WWW.CISCO.COM and Google will list all sites linked to the Cisco site.

AUTOMATIC FUNCTIONS
Dictionary

Google has an automatic dictionary function. Type your search terms into the search window. When Google returns results, the words for which Google has dictionary definitions will appear underlined at the top of the page. Google will also underline company names for which it has information, slang terms, and acronyms.
Example:
Type IBM ROYER CORPORATE BEHEMOTH
The box at the top of the page will read:
"SEARCHED THE WEB FOR: IBM ROYER CORPORATE BEHEMOTH"
Clicking on CORPORATE or BEHEMOTH will take you to dictionary definitions. Clicking on IBM will take you to a slang entry which lists hackers' terms for IBM, which include "Inferior But Marketable" and "Insidious Black Magic" as well as a brief entry about programmers' gripes about IBM.
It will also take you to an acronym finder which lists "International Business Machines," "Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles," and "International Brotherhood of Magicians" as known acronyms.
It will also take you to a link for "International Business Machines" which, if clicked, will take you to a short entry which includes corporate history, quarterly sales & profits, and a link to IBM's website.

Phone/Address Directory/Maps

Google will automatically return known phone numbers and addresses if search terms include a name and state code.
Example:
Type "MICHAEL ROYER" VT
Google, at the top of the page next to a little picture of a house, will list Michael Royer, (802) 658-8413, 817 Pine St, Burlington, VT 05401
This result will also be followed by links to Yahoo Maps and Mapblast. When clicked, these links will automatically produce a map to the address.
The directory function will also work for U.S. corporate phone numbers, addresses and maps. Simply type in the name of the company and the city and state.
Google also contains an internal phone book.
Type the phone number, including area code, and Google will return a name and address, as well as map options. Format: 802-555-1234

Stock Quotes

Google will automatically return a stock price if you type in a known ticker symbol (NYSE, NASDAQ, AMEX, or mutual fund). Multiple ticker symbols can be typed in at the same time.
Example:
Type CSCO
At the top of the page, next to a little chart symbol, will be the phrase "Show stock quotes for CSCO (Cisco Systems Inc.)". Click on this link to get a full quote.

Translation

Google will automatically offer to translate a non-English webpage. Currently Google translates from Italian, French, Spanish, German, and Portuguese.
Example:
Type CONTOIR. (This is the name of a French fragrance company.)
Google will list results, the first being:
Comptoir Postal - Cartes postale - souhaits - voeux - ... - [ Translate this page ]
Click on the "Translate this page" link and Google will translate the page (and as much of the website as it can) into English.

Prepared by Michael Royer
August 2001