Search Like a Pro With These 15 Google Search Tricks
Tags: learning, productivity, search, beginners
Published: 2021-05-11 09:30:04

---
title: Search Like a Pro With These 15 Google Search Tricks
published: true
date: 2021-04-20 11:31:48 UTC
tags: learning,productivity,search,beginners
canonical_url: https://x-team.com/blog/google-search-tricks/
---
The best developers have exceptional Google search skills. They might not immediately know the answer to every problem, but they know how to find the answer. This is a vital skill because it's impossible to know everything. The world is too complex and there are just too many languages, frameworks, and libraries.

Finding quick answers with complex Google search queries can make you a much more [productive programmer](https://x-team.com/blog/too-busy/). In today's blog post, we'll go over 15 Google search tricks so you can search like a pro.

## 1. Search For a Specific Filetype

Search for popular filetypes with the `filetype:` command. This is particularly useful if you're looking for PDFs. For example, `filetype:pdf learn javascript` will immediately give you a list of direct links to JavaScript PDFs.

## 2. Search Inside a Site

Search inside a website with the `site:` command. For example, type `site:stackoverflow.com this javascript` for a list of links about the `this` keyword on Stack Overflow. Use this command if a website doesn't have search functionality or if you're looking for results from a specific TLD (e.g. `site:edu javascript`).

![Search Like a Pro With These 15 Google Search Tricks](https://res.cloudinary.com/dukp6c7f7/image/upload/f_auto,fl_lossy,q_auto/s3-ghost//2021/04/site-command.jpg)

## 3. Use Boolean Operators

You can use `OR` and `AND` to combine searches and return results related either term or both terms, respectively. Just be careful, because both operators are case-sensitive. Type `JavaScript or Python` and you'll find results about which language you should learn first. But type `JavaScript OR Python` and you'll find separate results to the JavaScript and Python homepages.

## 4. Leave Out Words

Use the `-` command to leave out words in your search results. For example, type `half life -game` to learn about the medical concept of `half life` without any clutter from the video game Half-Life. While Google might still serve you results about the Half-Life game on the top bar, the actual search results will be just about the medical concept.

![Search Like a Pro With These 15 Google Search Tricks](https://res.cloudinary.com/dukp6c7f7/image/upload/f_auto,fl_lossy,q_auto/s3-ghost//2021/04/half-life.jpg)

## 5. Search for Specific Authors

You can search for specific authors on [Google Scholar](https://scholar.google.com) with the `author:` command. This way, you don't need to dive into advanced search. You can just search for `author:vitalik buterin` to immediately find any papers written by Vitalik Buterin, the founder of blockchain platform Ethereum.

## 6. Immediately Convert Currencies

Google immediately converts currencies at market rates. You don't even need to press enter to get a result. Just type in your search query and Google will return the answer as the first search suggestion. Try `100 eur to usd`.

![Search Like a Pro With These 15 Google Search Tricks](https://res.cloudinary.com/dukp6c7f7/image/upload/f_auto,fl_lossy,q_auto/s3-ghost//2021/04/Currencies.jpg)

## 7. Search For Related Websites

Search for related websites with the `related:` command. This is a great way to discover new websites. For example, `related:stackoverflow.com` will give you a big list of sites similar to Stack Overflow. Combine this with a keyword to refine your search even further.

## 8. Search For an Exact Phrase

Use `""` outside a phrase to search for that exact combination of words. For example, `"linux sudo"` will only return results that have the words linux sudo in them, in that order. This is useful when you're struggling to narrow down your search results.

![Search Like a Pro With These 15 Google Search Tricks](https://res.cloudinary.com/dukp6c7f7/image/upload/f_auto,fl_lossy,q_auto/s3-ghost//2021/04/Linux-Sudo.jpg)

## 9. Translate Anything You Want

Type in any set of languages and Google will offer a translation box as its first result. Try `turkish english` or `chinese japanese`. Google's translations are remarkably accurate and a great way to translate any foreign language you encounter online.

## 10. Search the Cached Version of a Website

Use the `cache:` command to search Google's last cached version of a website. This command will immediately take you to the website instead of offering a list of search results. For example, `cache:x-team.com` will take you to Google's last cached version of [the X-Team website](https://x-team.com/). This command is particularly useful for websites that have been taken offline.

## 11. Calculate Tips the Easy Way

Google has a built-in tip calculator that makes paying bills and leaving tips much easier. Just type in `tip calculator` to see it. You can also immediately type in your bill and the number of people too. Google assumes a tip of 15%. For example, `tip calculator $42.20 2` will return that each person needs to pay a total of $24.27, which includes a tip of $3.17 each.

![Search Like a Pro With These 15 Google Search Tricks](https://res.cloudinary.com/dukp6c7f7/image/upload/f_auto,fl_lossy,q_auto/s3-ghost//2021/04/Tip-Calculator.jpg)

## 12. Search Inside the Title, URL, or Text

Use the `intitle:`, `inurl`, or `intext:` commands to search for keywords inside the title, URL, or text. Even more useful are the `allintitle:`, `allinurl:`, and `allintext:` commands. These allow you to all the keywords in your search query. For example, try `allintitle:guido python` for a list of titles that have both Guido and Python in them.

## 13. Search in a Location

Use the `location:` command to search for something in a particular location. For example, `location:california intitle:programming` will return results that have programming in their title and are related to California.

![Search Like a Pro With These 15 Google Search Tricks](https://res.cloudinary.com/dukp6c7f7/image/upload/f_auto,fl_lossy,q_auto/s3-ghost//2021/04/California.jpg)

## 14. Convert Common Measurements

Similar to how you can convert currencies, Google allows you to convert common measurements such as kilograms, meters, pounds, stone, feet, centimeters, and more. For example, `150 lbs to kg` will instantly tell you that 150 lbs is approximately 68 kg.

## 15. Do a Barrel Roll

Google is arguably the most advanced AI we've ever created. It seems only fitting it can do a barrel roll. Type in `do a barrel roll` to watch Google obediently roll around. That's how we trick ourselves we're still in control.

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These were 15 Google search tricks to make you a more productive programmer. While some of these tricks stand on their own, they're most powerful when combined. Try integrating them in your day to day and it won't be long before you can Google like a pro.