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Nine Time-Savers using Google Search

Written by Tom McDonald | Apr 24, 2013 3:11:00 PM

While searching for a keyboard shortcut, I stumbled upon an article from a credible source boasting 10 ways to save time.  I clicked through and started reading.  Number two on their list was, stop procrastinating.  At that moment, I stopped reading the article, which resulted in me saving time. Technically, you could say the article was helpful.

Here is a quick list of popular Google Search Shortcuts.  Not only will they save you some typing, but they net pretty accurate results without having to scroll or sift through various search resources. 

Search within a specific site

Begin with site: if you know you want your answer from within a specific site or type of site (.org, .edu). For example: site:edu or site:nsitotalcare.com .

Copy and Paste this into Google Search   Site:info.nsiserv.com disaster recovery

Find related pages

Use related: to find pages that have similar content by typing related: followed by the web address. If you find a website you like, try using related:[insert URL] to locate similar websites.

Search by file type

Search for specific types of files, such as PDFs, PPTs, or XLS, by adding filetype: and the 3-letter file abbreviation.

Search numbers in a range

Looking for a good price? This will let you search only for items within a number range by putting a string .. between amounts.  Samsung TV $300..$500

What time is it? 

To see what time it is anywhere in the world, search time and the city or country.  Copy and Paste:  time naugatuck, ct 

Check the weather!

Search weather followed by a zip code or city in the world to get the current weather and forecast. Enter weather by itself to get the weather report for your current location. Copy and Paste:  weather murcia spain

Goggles - You have to try this

Use your mobile phone's camera to search. For Android, open your Google Goggles app (on an iPhone, open the Google Search app and select Goggles), take a photo of the item you want to search for, and wait for your results. You don't need to type anything.

Track your packages

Regardless of which service you're using, you can track your UPS, FedEx, or USPS packages by typing the tracking number directly into the search box. The results will show you the status of your shipment.  Very handy.

Search for “greater than”

Search only within a number range, type .. then a space, then the numbers in your range. For example, google recommends trying this out with: if you're searching for cars with over 300 horsepower, search cars "300.. horsepower". Here are some other examples: "220.. V" or "1.. RPM" or "8000.. mAh" battery.

The first one is my favorite.  We all have a handful of sites we go to looking for specific information.  That one shortcut is very useful and a real time saver.  I hope it helps you, too.