Searching for anything on the Google search engine is easy, but it’s not easy to get precise results. And it’s actually not Google’s mistake.
Google is designed to solve our problems by providing us with all the relevant results, and if you want specific results, Google has got you covered. You can use the advanced search operators that have made the research process super easy.
By using the search operators, you’ll only get the particular results to your query, not every other relevant result.
So, let’s discover how these tricks can make your searches way better in 2024!
35 Working Google Advanced Search Operators in 2024
Here is the list of Google search operators. All of the search operators below work efficiently and help refine the search results.
22 Basic Google Search Commands
1. “Search Term”
One of the best Google search operators to use is “search terms.” it’s basically for the situation when you want to search results that include specific words or phrases in the content. You only have to write the phrase, and Google will refine search results according to your instructions.
Here’s an example: “t rex skeleton“
2. Define:
Sometimes, we only want to read the definitions of words or about a topic. The issue is when you’ll search for a word, Google provides general results. If you don’t want this, the best is to use this operator: “define:”
Here’s the example: define: T Rex
3. Cache:
If you have a website a want to see it, the latest cache version means the one that Google has stored recently you should search the webpage URL with the term “cache:”.
Here’s the example: cache:apple.com
4. Filetype:
If you want to find information in a file format like PDF, you can use the “filetype:” Google search operator. By adding keywords before the term, you’ll only get the pdf results that are related to your query.
Here’s an example: Human rights filetype: pdf
5. Keyword Ext: File Format
Another Google search operator to narrow down your results is “ext:”. This also allows you to specify which format you want the results.
Here’s an example: Human rights ext: pdf
6. Site: website URL “relevant phrase”
When you’re looking for information within a specific website, the “site:” operator comes in handy. Just simply add the operator beside the website URL, and Google will only show results to a particular domain.
Here’s an example: site:wikipedia.org “artificial intelligence“
7. Intitle:
If you want to find web pages with specific words in the title, you can use the “intitle:” operator. This is super helpful when you’re looking for blog posts or documents with the title being crucial to your search.
Here’s an example: intitle: “climate change effects“
8. (“”)
This eight-search operator is to find the exact match of sentences. You can copy one or two sentences or a short paragraph and add it between the commas of brackets. Then, press the enter button from the keyboard, now Google will show the webpage that has the same phrases. It’s one of the helpful Google search tricks to find plagiarised content.
Here’s an example: (“Google Developers is Google’s site for software development tools and platforms.”)
9. Inurl:
It’s important for SEO to find how many competitors are targeting the same keyword. To find this out, use the “Inurl:” term. After using this search operator, you’ll be able to access all the competitor’s pages with the same keyword in the URL.
Here’s an example: Inurl: best gaming chair under $100
10. Allintext:
If you want to find pages where all the specified words appear in the text, the “allintext:” is for you.
Here’s an example: allintext: “healthy eating tips“
11. Weather:
To check out the weather of a specific city, use the search operator “weather:”. With this, you’ll be able to know about the temperature of the city quickly without going through several websites.
12. Map:
Those who’re traveling or have the plan to travel should know about the “map:” search operator. It’s helpful if you want to see the map of a city or a state.
Here’s an example: map: Texas
13. Movie:
In case you’re researching a movie and only want results specifically about it, the “movie:” operator is the best.
Here’s an example: Movie:Jumanji: The Next Level
14. In
If you’re in a hurry and want to convert dollars to euros or euros to yuan, using the term “in” between the keywords will do the work.
Here’s an example: $300 in yuan
15. Inanchor:
If your motive is to find webpages that contain specific keywords in the anchor text, “Inanchor:” search operator is your go-to option. It’s a fantastic way to find out the websites that have provided backlinks for a specific target keyword. You can also reach out to the website owner for a backlink.
Here’s an example: Inanchor: Cheap flower delivery in San Francisco
16. Intext:
Use “intext:” to pinpoint webpages that have used specific phrases in the content.
Here’s an example: Intext: “space exploration advancements”
17. Location:
People who want to stay up to date about a city should check the “location:” operator. It’s to help individuals find the news of a location. You only need to write “loc: city name [keyword”
Here’s an example: Location:” San Francisco” protest
18. Jobs -indeed
If your purpose is to find job advertisements but not from an irrelevant website, the “jobs -website name” can be helpful. Once you add the website name, Google will exclude its all results.
Here’s an example: Jobs -Indeed
19. * Asterisk
Sometimes, we don’t feel sure about what to search for exactly. In this type of scenario, try using an asterisk (*) between the keywords. For instance, if you search “best * in Dubai,” Google will do the guesswork by providing all relevant results.
Here’s an example: best * in Dubai
20. Stocks: Company name
If you’re interested in monitoring stock-related information for a specific company, the “stocks:” operator is for you. It allows you to find the latest stock info. Write the “stock:” in the search bar and add the company name.
Here’s an example: stocks: Apple
21. Before:
The “Before:” search operator will refine results related to keywords that were published or last updated prior to a specific date.
Here’s an example: Apple before:2008-06-01
22. After:
To find the latest data about a topic, you should check out the “after:” search operator. It will automatically provide you with results of webpages that are published after the date you mentioned.
Here’s an example: Tesla after:2023-11-01
7 Google Advanced Operators for Research
1. Intext: gmail.com “profession”
Those who own a business and want to connect with a targeted audience of professionals and need their email should use this search operator. You have to type intext: gmail.com “doctor/lawyer/any profession” and Google will find the information of doctors, lawyer including the email.
Here’s the example: intex: @gmail.com doctor USA
2. Site: website.com filetype: pdf
This site:website.com filetype: pdf search operator is best for someone who wants to check the pdf or docs file format content of a specific website. It helps find out the content your competitors have uploaded other than the blog post.
Here’s an example: site: ahref.com filetype: pdf
3. Main keyword +Related Keyword
The main keyword and related keyword search operator are basically used when you want specific results from Google. If you search “Autumn” on Google, the results you’ll get will be mostly about the “Autumn season,” but what if you want to search for actors named “Autumn”? You can use this search advanced search operators.
Here’s the example: Autumn +actor
4. Site: facebook.com nikee
Another way to search like a pro is using the “site: Facebook.com “brand name” operator. It’s one of the best-advanced operators that can be used to find the official account of a brand. Just type the URL and the brand name together in the same pattern.
Here’s an example: site: facebook.com “Nikee”
5. Intitle: write title here + Inurl: type URL here
If you want to see how many other bloggers have targeted the same keyword as you, use the “intitle:” and the “inurl” search operator together. Don’t forget to add the main keyword beside the colon.
Here’s an example: Intitle: best mountain bike + Inurl: best mountain bike
6. [Name] site:twitter.com | site:facebook.com | site:linkedin.com
If you’re researching someone (a known personality) or a brand and want to know what people write or think about them on social media, there’s a helpful search operator for this task. Write the name of the person or brand, and add the “site:” command along with the social media platform link. Google will show you all results, including posts, articles, videos and so forth.
Here’s an example: [Elon Musk] site:facebook.com | site:linkedin.com
7. Intext:[Ahref] -site:Ahrefs.com
The next search operator is extremely helpful for SEO experts. With this operator, you can easily find how many websites have mentioned your competitor’s name.
Here’s an example: Intext:[Ahref] -site:Ahrefs.com
5 Google Cheat Sheet of Search Operators for Guest Posting
Below is the best cheat sheet of search operators that can be used for finding gues postings or sponsored post opportunities.
1. [Tech] intext: “This is a sponsored post by”
Write your website’s niche and use the search operator “intext: This is a sponsored post by.” This way, you’ll get a list of websites that have posted sponsored posts on their blog.
Here’s an example: [Tech] intext: “This is a sponsored post by”
2. Keyword/Niche inurl: guest post Intext: submit
To find guest post opportunities, use the “inurl: guest post” and “intext: submit” search operators alongside the name of your website niche. You can add one niche or more by adding the (+) sign between them.
Here’s an example: Startup+tech inurl: guest post intext: submit
3. Inurl: guest post inurl: write for us intext: Travel
Broaden your search by using “inurl: guest post” with your specific niche. This helps find websites with dedicated sections or pages for guest posts related to your niche.
Here’s an example: inurl: guest post inurl: write for us intext: Travel
4. Niche “Write for us”
You can also search “Write for us” + “Do-follow” intitle: Niche. This command allows you to search for websites that not only accept guest posts but also promise a do-follow backlink.
Here’s an example: “Write for us” + “Do follow” intitle: Travel
5. “Keyword” intitle: submit + inurl: write for us
Another way to find guest posting opportunities is to write the niche using the commands “intitle: submit + inurl: write for us.
Here’s an example: SEO intitle:” submit” + inurl: write for us
Use Google Tools for Research
Apart from search operators, Google has also introduced the “Tools” feature for research. Read below how its filters are helpful.
1. Google Time Filter
Search for the keyword you want; just use the “Tools” option. It’s available beneath the search bar of Google. Use the right time filter tag, and you’ll get all relevant results within a second.
Here’s an example: Elon Musk
2. Google Verbatim Filter
Google’s “Tools” option also has the “Verbatim” filter. It’s used for the situation when Google are misinterpreting your keyword and showing result for different keywords. You can use the “Verbatim” filter tag and Google will show you result for the exact keyword, whether it’s grammatically correct or not.
Here’s an example: Mountain Sina
Final Words
Google search operators are special phrases or words that can be used while searching on Google to find search results that are exactly what you need. With the advanced Google search operators I’ve shared above, the research process will be super easy. You only need to use a few words or symbols, and Google will provide you with precise and accurate results.
