Google search tips
You may find the following tips helpful when searching Google:
Finding up-to-date information
If you’re researching a topic and want to check the most up-to-date information available, click the News tab at the top of the results page. This will show recent news articles featuring your search term.
Search a site
Some websites’ own search functions are poor, but you can also search them direct from the Google home page. Type your search term followed by "site:" and then the address of the website you want to search, for example "MMR site:bbc.co.uk". Then only results from the website you include will display.
Search by file type
Did you know you can search by the type of file you’re looking for, which is perfect if you’re searching for a PowerPoint presentation or a PDF file. Just type your search term followed by "filetype:" and then the document’s extension, so "ppt" for PowerPoint, eg "asthma filetype:ppt".
Searching for images
You know how to search for images, but did you know you can find out what an image is of as well? If you find an interesting picture online, you can find out more about it by going to images.google.com and clicking the camera icon in the search bar. This brings up two options: either paste the url of the image you’ve found (i.e. what’s in the address bar when the image is the only thing on the screen), or upload an image from your computer to find out what it is. Google can also locate "visually similar images" for you.
Calculate
Just type the sum into the Google search bar, and it will calculate it for you.
Convert
Just type in your amount – say 100 euros – followed by "in" and the currency and Google will convert it for you. You can do the same with other number conversions like miles to kilometres and pints to litres.
Translate
You can even translate short phrases from one language into another, eg intensive care unit in italian.
Finding up-to-date information
If you’re researching a topic and want to check the most up-to-date information available, click the News tab at the top of the results page. This will show recent news articles featuring your search term.
Search a site
Some websites’ own search functions are poor, but you can also search them direct from the Google home page. Type your search term followed by "site:" and then the address of the website you want to search, for example "MMR site:bbc.co.uk". Then only results from the website you include will display.
Search by file type
Did you know you can search by the type of file you’re looking for, which is perfect if you’re searching for a PowerPoint presentation or a PDF file. Just type your search term followed by "filetype:" and then the document’s extension, so "ppt" for PowerPoint, eg "asthma filetype:ppt".
Searching for images
You know how to search for images, but did you know you can find out what an image is of as well? If you find an interesting picture online, you can find out more about it by going to images.google.com and clicking the camera icon in the search bar. This brings up two options: either paste the url of the image you’ve found (i.e. what’s in the address bar when the image is the only thing on the screen), or upload an image from your computer to find out what it is. Google can also locate "visually similar images" for you.
Calculate
Just type the sum into the Google search bar, and it will calculate it for you.
Convert
Just type in your amount – say 100 euros – followed by "in" and the currency and Google will convert it for you. You can do the same with other number conversions like miles to kilometres and pints to litres.
Translate
You can even translate short phrases from one language into another, eg intensive care unit in italian.
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