Hidden features in Google search
Monday, October 7th, 2013Telegraph.co.uk: “Google is used by millions of people to navigate the web every day, but how many of us really put it through its paces?”
There are many gems hidden in Google’s search engine, and even though Google is Evil (and has been for a while 😉 ), these features can come in quite handy…15 of them are listed in the article (a nice read) and below:
1. Calculator
A pretty powerful calculator
2. Site search
By using the ‘site:’ keyword, you can make Google only return results from one site.
3. Conversions
Currency conversions and unit conversions, for instance: ‘1 GBP in USD’, ’20 C in F’ or ’15 inches in cm’ and get an instant answer.
4. Time zones
Search for ‘time in ‘ and you will get the local time for that place, as well as the time zone it is in.
5. Translations
A quick way to translate foreign words is to type ‘translate … to …’. For example, ‘translate pomme to english’ returns the result apple, and ‘translate pomme to spanish’ returns the result ‘manzana’.
6. Search for a specific file type
If you know you are looking for a PDF or a Word file, you can search for specific file types by typing ‘ filetype:pdf’ or ‘ filetype:doc’
7. Check flight status
If you type in a flight number, the top result is the details of the flight and its status. So, for example, typing in KL 1141 reveals that KLM flight 1141 departs Amsterdam at 07.00h tomorrow and arrives at Oslo at 08:45h local time.
8. Search for local film showings
Search for film showings in your area by typing ‘films’ or ‘movies’ followed by your postcode.
9. Weather forecasts
Type the name of a city followed by ‘forecast’, and Google will tell you the weather today, including levels of precipitation, humidity and wind, as well as the forecast for the next week, based on data from The Weather Channel.
10. Exclude search terms
Type a ‘-‘ before a search term and exclude results containing that term.
11. Public data
To see trends for population and unemployment rates of different cities and counties, type ‘population’ or ‘unemployment rate’ followed by the location. So for example, typing ‘unemployment rate uk’ returns the answer 7.7 percent, and shows a graph of unemployment rates over the last 10 years
12. Related search
To search for web pages that have similar content to a given site, type ‘related:’ followed by the website address into the Google search box. For example, typing ‘related:telegraph.co.uk’ gives a list of other UK newspaper websites.
13. Package tracking
If you have a package tracking number from the USPS, UPS or FedEx, simply plug it into Google Search and it will provide a convenient link for you.
14. Define
Google’s dictionary function allows you to type define:term and get definitions of words. So a search for define:discombobulated tells you that it is the past participle, past tense of discombobulate, which means to disconcert or confuse.
15. Barrel Roll
Simply type “do a barrel roll” into the search bar and Google dutifully obeys. Warning: this Google trick is known to make grown men squeal with delight.
