Unfortunately, Google isn’t one to automatically recognize punctuation and grammar within search queries. However, the symbols and punctuation listed below are exceptions to the rules, ones that allow you to better refine your search results when used in conjunction with your desired search terms. Just don’t add any spaces between the symbol and your search phrases. Otherwise, Google will ignore your commands.
Punctuation symbols that help refine your search
| Function |
Execution |
| To search for an exact phrase, with the same words in the same order | Place quotation marks (“) around the phrase you’d like to search for Ex: “to be, or not to be” |
| To exclude results that include a particular word or site when searching words with multiple meanings | Place a dash (-) before the word or site you want to omit Ex: phoenix -arizona |
| To search for Google+ pages or blood types | Place an addition sign (+) in front of the Google+ user or after the blood type Ex: +Chrome and AB+ |
| To search for social tags | Place the at symbol (@) before the social tag you’d like to search Ex: @digitaltrends |
| To search for prices | Place a dollar sign ($) before the value Ex: canon $400 |
| To search for a phrase with missing words | Place an asterisk (*) within the search as a placeholder for any unknown terms Ex: if you give a * a * |
| To search for a range of numbers, usually pertaining to prices and measurements | Place two periods between the designated numbers you want to search between Ex: $75..$200 |
| To search popular hashtags for trending topics | Place a hashtag in front of the desired topicEx: #throwbackthursday |
Search operators that help refine your hunt
Punctuation and symbols really only get you so far with Google. Search operators, which are additionally available within the Google Advanced Search page, allow you to greatly narrow your search results based on a variety of individual factors when you pair them with your desired search terms.
Also, omit the spaces as you would with symbols.
| Function |
Execution |
| To search for results from certain sites and domains | Place “site:” in front of the site or domain from which you want to pull results Ex: apple watch site:digitaltrends.com |
| To search for pages that link to a certain page | Place “link:” in front of the site or domain you want to find pages linking to Ex: link:digitaltrends.com |
| To search for sites that are similar to a designated site or domain | Place “related:” in front of the site or domain you want to find similar results of Ex: related:digitaltrends.com |
| To search for pages that just have one of several words | Place “OR” between the two words you are searching for Ex: world series 2013 OR 2014 |
| To search for designated information about a specific site or domain, including cached pages, and those linking to the site | Place “info:” in front of the site or domain you want information about Ex: info:digitaltrends.com |
| To search what a page looked like the last time Google crawled the site | Place “cache:” in front of the page housing the cache you’d like to view Ex: cache:digitaltrends.com |
| To search for a specific file type | Place “filetype:” in front of the specific file type you’re looking for Ex: matthew mcconaughey filetype:gif |
Other helpful tips and tricks
There are a handful of other useful Google search functions that don’t fall under either of the above categories. Google built the engine with several useful tools that allow you to look up information without have to navigate to other sites. For instance, you can instantly check the weather for a city, or look up the definition of “miasma,” among a bevy of other actions. You can even utilize the microphone on your desktop or mobile device to search Google using your own voice, or find the Bacon Number of your favorite celebrity (we’re betting it’s two).
| Function |
Execution |
| To search Google using voice commands | Click the microphone icon in the search bar and begin talking |
| To search Google for a specific image | Click the camera icon in the search bar and paste the image URL |
| To set a timer | Enter “set timer for” followed by the desired amount of time |
| To check the weather for a specific area | Enter “weather” followed by a zipcode or city |
| To search for the sunrise and sunset times for a specific area | Enter “sunrise” or “sunset” followed by a zipcode or city |
| To look up the definition for a given word | Enter “define” followed by your desired term |
| To look up the origins for a given word | Enter “etymology” followed by your desired word |
| To look up the time for a specific region | Enter “time” followed by the particular region |
| To look up your IP address | Enter “ip address” in the search bar |
| To check the status of a flight | Enter the flight number in the search bar |
| To look up stock quotes | Enter the desired stock symbol in the search bar |
| To look up the date for a specific holiday | Enter the name of the holiday in the search bar |
| To track a package | Enter the tracking number in the search bar |
| To use the calculator | Enter the equation in the search bar |
| To define a word | Enter “define” followed by your desired word |
| To convert currency or measurements | Enter the first amount and unit, type “to”, and then enter the second unit |
| To look up film showings | Enter “movies” followed by your zipcode or city |
| To look up sports scores | Enter the sports team in the search bar |
| To look up nutritional facts about an item, or compare nutritional facts | Enter the name of the product, or enter “compare” followed by the items you want to compare |
| To look up a celebrity’s Bacon Number | Enter “bacon number” followed by the name of the celebrity |
| To roll a six-sided die | Enter [roll a dice] in the search bar |
