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Google search tips

If you want to search for a single word in Google it's easy - type it in, hit enter and away you go. The trouble is the web is so vast and Google so powerful that for any given word there are going to be gazillions of results. So you need to be a bit smarter with your Google searches and this guide will show you how.

Case sensitivity

Google searches are not case sensitive so why waste time with the shift key - just type away. For example if you are searching for BA Creative Web Design Brisbane you just need to type ba creative web design brisbane.

No need for "and" or "&"

Google returns pages that include all of your search terms so there is no need to include "and" between terms. For example if you want to search for BA Creative and Web Design and Brisbane, you simply need to type ba creative web design brisbane.

Exclusion of common words

Google ignores common words such as "the", "where" and "how". If you really want to include one of these common words in your search use the "+" directly before the word. For example if you wanted to search for BA Creative Web Design Brisbane and Where, simply type ba creative web design brisbane +where.

Exact phrase searching

If you want to search for a specific phrase or sentence you should put double quotation marks around your search terms. For example if you wanted to search for  BA Creative Brisbane is a one stop graphic design shop, simply type " ba creative brisbane is a one stop graphic design shop"

Intentionally exclude words

Sometimes you want to exclude words from you search and you can do this easily by using the "-" symbol directly before the word that you want to exclude. For example if you wanted to search for Rudd but didn't want results containing Kevin you simply type rudd -kevin

Feeling lucky

You've probably seen the " I'm feeling lucky" link at the top of the Google page, have you ever wondered what it does? Well if you type you search word/s in and click on the lucky link Google will take you directly to the most relevant site to your query, you won't see the search results page at all.

Happy searching!

Pete Accini

BA Creative Web Design
Brisbane