Webupon > Search Engines

Five Things You Didn't Know Google Could Do

by eimaj, Apr 2, 2008

Google has many hidden functions, and most accessible from the main search box. This article describes a few of these.

Google is widely known as the Internet's best search engine. Everybody with access to the internet uses Google at some point to scour the depths of the web for a particular web page, or a certain piece of information.

However, Google has several built in functions that help you to make your searches more successful, and to enable you to spend less time searching! The following is a list of 5 functions, all accessible from the main Google search box, which will help you find that snippet of information you are looking for.

  1. Removing Unwanted Pages



    Ever searched for something before, and had a whole list of completely irrelevant web pages come up? This is annoying at the best of times, as it takes time to check and read through the list of sites and find the one you actually want.

    For example, if you were looking for a review of the book "Eragon", and you typed into Google “Eragon review”, many of the links listed are reviews of the movie, not the book. Because you are not looking for a review of the movie, you can remove all pages relevant to the movie by adding “-movie” to the end of your search terms.

    This will now display all the pages relevant to "eragon review", but not relevant to "movie".

  2. Calculator



    Google can be used as a calculator, answering anything from the simplest math to the most complex equation. Just enter your math question, and Google will display the answer.

    + is used to add terms, - to subtract terms, * to multiply terms, and / to divide terms. Besides these basic operators, you can use ^ to work out something to the power of something (for example, “2^4” would be 2 to the power of 4), and "sqrt" to calculate the square root of a number (for example, “sqrt 4” would be the square root of 4).

  3. Dictionary Definitions



    By typing “define:” before a word, Google will retrieve and display a list of dictionary definitions for that word.

  4. Search A Single Website



    If you type "site:" and then a website after a search term, Google will search for your term(s) in only the site dictated. For example, the following search will search Oxford University's Website for the term "prospectus."

  5. Search for A Specific File Type



    As I am sure you are aware, there are many files hosted on the internet besides the standard html websites. Therefore, searching for a specific type of file could make your search a lot easier. For example, if you were looking for a PDF version of the iPhone manual, you could use the following search, which would produce more accurate (and less) results.

    Here the "filetype:" tool is making Google search the web for PDF files only, therefore eliminating any pages that we didn't want to see.

These are just 5 useful functions that Google can perform, there are many more for you to discover, and they can all be mixed and matched! I hope this helped you to find that ever-elusive page or snippet of info. Have fun, and happy searching!

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Comments (137)
#1 by Hasy, Apr 2, 2008
Really cool! I didn't know any of these things!
#2 by Zippy, Apr 2, 2008
If you use google you should all know about those functions. LAME NEWS
#3 by dljs, Apr 2, 2008
If your name's Zippy, then you're lame.
#4 by jhfl, Apr 2, 2008
i agree with zippy
#5 by Zippy is a lame name., Apr 2, 2008
Thanks for the article!
#6 by why would anyone already know these functions?, Apr 2, 2008
LOL, you're a smidgen dorkier than the average internet user if you already knew these. It's not like google advertises their calculator functionality.

This article was really helpful, especially the definition function.
#7 by Bungle, Apr 2, 2008
Zippy I cant take you anywhere can I
#8 by Zippy failed, Apr 2, 2008
define: shameful
#9 by Paul, Apr 2, 2008
I knew the dictionary one, but none others...
THANKS!
#10 by i ride zippy's mum all day and night, Apr 2, 2008
ye v cool

zippys mum is hot
#11 by BT, Apr 2, 2008
Knew the other 4 but did not know the definition: one.
#12 by Yppiz, Apr 2, 2008
Nah, zippy's right... but it's understandable too, the writer's clearly British, they probably just have an older internet than we do, so this is news to them ;)
#13 by Zippy is right, Apr 2, 2008
Nice try assuming what I don't know.
#14 by eugene, Apr 2, 2008
it can also convert units

"20F in C"
"20mm in in"
"5km in miles"

very useful to me
#15 by Zippy's penis, Apr 2, 2008
Hi guys! I'm tiny and nobody ever touches me except Zippy :( ! I'm lonely!
#16 by timmy, Apr 2, 2008
it's spelled antidisestablishmentarianism
#17 by UberZippy, Apr 2, 2008
If you didn't know these you should be using Yahoo! search. This is now on Digg, and has been BURIED AS LAME.
#18 by Nobody., Apr 2, 2008
I knew all that stuff already. Damn you, internet, for lying to me!
#19 by Carlton Northern, Apr 2, 2008
Of all the cool, unknown things that Google can do, you pick these five things? These are pretty basic Google Search functionality. What about the backward links function? That\'s pretty cool and unknown to the majority of users.
#20 by stutte, Apr 2, 2008
also converts currency.

20 dollars = ? liras

for example..
#21 by Calc isn't well hidden, Apr 2, 2008
Really. It isn't. Try typing in something like 4 + 2 with autocomplete on, and google will FILL IN THE ANSWER for you!

It actually gets much more powerful, because it contains universal constants and can do unit conversions. Makes calculating results with inordinately long sets of terms dependent on c, e, planck's constant, pi, the permittivity of free space, etc. etc., when working with numbers in angstroms, kilopounds, fortnights, and other bizarre units much easier. I'm always surprised by how many constants it just has stored.

- is in just about everyone's guide to efficient searching, regardless of engine; I'm a little surprised at people not knowing that one. I guess I can understand not having seen the ones requiring specific entries like definition:, site:, and filetype:. As stated, google doesn't exactly advertise them but they're easy enough to find.
#22 by Real Person, Apr 2, 2008
For the average working class citizen who has a job and a house and doesn't spend countless hours on the internet but rather engaging with others in real life, this article was very useful. Thanks for the info.
#23 by markp, Apr 2, 2008
right, and also: http://www.google.com/intl/en/help/features.html
#24 by Q1, Apr 2, 2008
Also there is a currency converter... but I don't remember how it works exactly...
#25 by BiosLifeNow.com, Apr 2, 2008
4 + 2 = this.....

http://img240.imageshack.us/img240/7844/picture3hx5.png
#26 by Real People Don't Use Digg Either, Apr 2, 2008
Obviously you found this article on digg, so shut your damm trap fool. clearly you're not as average as you describe.
#27 by filepromptdotcom, Apr 2, 2008
Also Google can be used to find free software like here

http://www.fileprompt.com
#28 by Grant from GrantMc.co.uk, Apr 2, 2008
But thats only ne thing i didnt know google could do. I knew about number 2, 3, 4 and 5...
#29 by chvnx, Apr 2, 2008
I never thought about using Google as a calculator. You've just saved me about 10 minutes a day by my estimate. Thanks!

#30 by zippy, Apr 2, 2008
#21 you must be the biggest nerd ever.
#31 by Me, Myself, and I, Apr 2, 2008
Well, I already knew these things; being a bit of a dork, I taught Myself, who told Me everything. The three of us can be pretty smart when we put our minds together.
#32 by Dylan, Apr 2, 2008
You can also get currency changes by doing this.

18,000 JYP in USD
#33 by Nick, Apr 2, 2008
Umm, I knew about all five. Also, enter a UPS tracking number into the search bar to track a package.
#34 by Three Squares, Apr 2, 2008
Old news(and anyone who didn\'t already know how to do exclusionary search terms should turn off their computer and go back to playing Halo)

If you want something really powerful try inurl: and intitle:
#35 by ALi3NaTA (fu, it\'s a gamertag pal), Apr 2, 2008
I like the color blue
Zippy doesn\'t have a clue
doesn\'t help that he aint nice
If he\'d stop choking on *rooster* and thought twice
He\'d realize that some folks on the web are new

Against the sky flies a gull
He\'s mouth is wide, sex life null
So spread the knowledge all day long
Imma take a nap after I hit my bong
Then I\'ll mount Zippy\'s mom like a raging bull

yeah, flammed
#36 by SatanusMaximus, Apr 2, 2008
Can google tell me if it is normal for one of my testicles to be bigger than the other two?
#37 by Momo, Apr 2, 2008
you can also use google to track packages
#38 by SatanusMaximus, Apr 2, 2008
Oh my Gawd! There is porn on the intarweb?!?!
#39 by Jiffy, Apr 2, 2008
How can I search if Google loves me for me and not just the sex?
#40 by fuffert, Apr 2, 2008
jeez, have you guys been living under a rock for the past few years?!!
#41 by steve, Apr 2, 2008
\\\"If you use google you should all know about those functions. LAME NEWS\\\"

Zippy, first you imply that this information is important then you say it\\\'s lame. Grow up.
#42 by The Man from Del Monte, Apr 2, 2008
Can I google to find out why your mum is such a whore?
#43 by NotARetard, Apr 2, 2008
This should really be filed under "If you've never used the Internet before."
#44 by its called 4th grade computer class, Apr 2, 2008
Boolean Searching

And you morons who make fun of other people over the friggin internet need a damn life.
#45 by bootleg searching, Apr 2, 2008
You had computers in 4th grade?
#46 by Al Gore, Apr 2, 2008
I invented the internet
#47 by Make this one work, Apr 2, 2008
Emptywallet + Google = Fullwallet
#48 by I am not British, Apr 2, 2008
... therfore I knew them all.

And in fact Zippy's right!!!
And the article's headline is wrong.

I never use 3. and 5., because I find no need for them.

Regarding the calculator:
People who didn't know about it, probably don't know how advaced it is... including the author of the article (I guess).

Try typing:
40 mpg in km/l
or
1 EUR in USD (WHOAAAAH USD is for loosers)
#49 by Make this one work, Apr 2, 2008
Emptywallet + Google = Fullwallet
#50 by google song artist..., Apr 2, 2008
i didnt know about number 5, but i doubt id use it anyway.

seeing how all of you are so clever, how can i find the artist of a particular song thru a google search? i know some of the lyrics.
#51 by @ #58, Apr 2, 2008
Tell us the lyrics
#52 by longjohn, Apr 2, 2008
> LOL, you're a smidgen dorkier than the average internet user if you
> already knew these.
Yeah, thats become a problem in the last few years, since you all arrived...


> It's not like google advertises their calculator functionality.
Who advertises their user manual?? http://www.google.com/help/features.html

Oh look, there is Calculator!
#53 by Graviez, Apr 2, 2008
@UberZippy

Yahoo! Search has the same features.
#54 by Uber Zippy, Apr 2, 2008
Zippys of the world unite!!!!!!!
#55 by 41km8, Apr 2, 2008
"#44 by SatanusMaximus, Apr 2, 2008
Can google tell me if it is normal for one of my testicles to be bigger than the other two?"


its not normal, because you have 3. don't be lame.
#56 by mingerocket, Apr 2, 2008
HAAAAAA you guise our thick!
#57 by Zippy likes unicorns, Apr 2, 2008
If you already know more than #1 and kept reading AND took time to post you may need a life. digg that!
#58 by swillit66, Apr 2, 2008
I liked the definition method.
#59 by Mrs. Zippy, Apr 2, 2008
define: LAME

Results:

This article.
#60 by Z1ppx0r, Apr 2, 2008
7A 69 70 70 79 6F 77 6E 73 79 6F 75 72 61 73 73 2C 79 6F 75 66 75 63 6B 69 6E 67 70 61 74 68 65 74 69 63 6C 6F 73 65 72 73

#61 by Grampa Zippy, Apr 2, 2008
I have not seen Zippy. If any one sees him, tell him he needs to finish his cream pie.
#62 by Grampa Zippy, Apr 2, 2008
I have not seen Zippy. If any one sees him, tell him he needs to finish his cream pie.
#63 by Zippy, Apr 2, 2008
you anoobises probably dont know about elgoog either...haha
im teh leet ezt pWnr
#64 by yo, Apr 2, 2008
try write: find chuck norris and press the "i fell lucky" button
#65 by minx, Apr 2, 2008
7a 69 70 70 79 20 73 65 65 6d 73 20 66 61 6d 69 6c 69 61 72 20 74 6f 20 6d 65 2e 20 20 61 73 20 64 6f 20 73 6f 6d 65 20 6f 66 20 79 6f 75 20 6f 74 68 65 72 73 2e
#66 by Zippy, Apr 2, 2008
I like to look at old women in my spare time (which I have alot of cause i'm a loser with no real friends) :(
#67 by your mom, Apr 2, 2008
I knew Google could do all of this. I've known for years. Lame news.
#68 by Iain, Apr 3, 2008
Excuse me everyone... Zippy would like everyone to know how clever he is because he "already knows" how to do all of this. Therefore: if you didn't know any of this before, Zippy is better than you.

Kudos Zippy, for pointing that out. We are all the wiser for having read it.
#69 by jeez, Apr 3, 2008
yeah, well, I knew...
#70 by Mzgrazie , Apr 3, 2008
of course i know this lol
#71 by wardrich, Apr 3, 2008
LOL. This list is weak... if you didn't know google could do this stuff, you really shouldn't be using the internet. I mean, just about every search engine can (and has been able to) use boolean search functions (ie: -movie +lyrics) for well over 10 years now.
#72 by Ajay George, Apr 3, 2008
nice ones..
I did not know the 3rd tip..
#73 by cows go, Apr 3, 2008
moo
#74 by I Eat Gorilla Poop, Apr 3, 2008
this is so 1999.

technically the article should be titled "Five Things Some People Didn't Know Google Could Do"
#75 by Christoph, Apr 3, 2008
LAME!
#76 by Ozh, Apr 3, 2008
wow. Incredible features. But even more incredible is that there are still people out there who obviously don't know about these. Living under rocks, probably.

Author, you forgot the top feature we don't know about: search things?
#77 by gags, Apr 3, 2008
who made it delicious hot list topic.. i have seen these kinda things so many many times.. LAME..
#78 by shaun ashcroft, Apr 3, 2008
shaun in ozzie here mate. I'll stick another prawn on the barbie for ya mate. Bonza info mate cos I piss around all over the place sometimes mate tryin to find me stuff I'a after. Good one Trevor, good one.
#79 by akum, Apr 3, 2008
If you didn\'t know at lease 2 of these you need orientation on what the internet is. Google have had the advanced search link on their home page since their intro. its all been there.
#80 by mr. about page, Apr 3, 2008
Lookt at this fantastic article:
http://www.google.com/intl/en/help/features.html
#81 by Patrick, Apr 3, 2008
Another definition search is easier (less typing): just type in what you are looking for. On the right side of the screen it will say Results 1-10 of xxxx and then the word you searched for. If it is displayed as a link, click it.... There you are: your dictionary definition!
#82 by spongetoad, Apr 3, 2008
yeah, those pics are probalby photoshopped
#83 by whipermr5, Apr 3, 2008
Yes, I know all 5 of them and use them regularly.
#84 by Dmitri, Apr 3, 2008
Wow. First of all it's not news of all. Second, there are a lot more functuons in Google search. Third, readers of this site that made fun of some poster's name are too arrogant and immature, in other words, complete dicks.

He was just stating the obvious, as I am doing right now.
#85 by Sebastian O, Apr 3, 2008
I actually knew all of these already.
#86 by bob, Apr 3, 2008
boring article :(
#87 by Ash, Apr 3, 2008
It can also spell a number to words, try: 29848 in words
#88 by Zippy's Mom, Apr 3, 2008
Image search can be used to search for images containing faces

http://images.google.com/images?&q=zippy

http://images.google.com/images?&q=zippy&imgtype=face
#89 by jenny, Apr 3, 2008
Why is it that everyone resorts to quite unnecessary bad language and rudeness? So some of you are cleverer than others, but that's no excuse. Maybe there are things they know you don't. The most useful comment has been where to find this sort of information about Google possiblities. Not all of us had computers at school - I was lucky to have a pencil, dip-in-ink pen and a BRAIN, which I was taught to use.
#90 by Mitchell, Apr 3, 2008
Thanks for this great article! It is very useful :D
I knew none of these, ignore the rude comments above, as they don't understand that other people may not already know this, after all, you have to learn it somewhere :P
#91 by raylic, Apr 3, 2008
It´s easy to learn such tricks by using google itself.
I am surprised. Too many people didn´t know the advanced google searching features ... ;-)
#92 by hello, Apr 3, 2008
the only one i knew was "define:", i probably wont use them but its good to know the calculator one incase i dont have one around
#93 by Kim Siever, Apr 3, 2008
Crap. I thought there would be at least ONE I didn't already know.

After all, the title of the article did say there were five things that I specifically did not know.
#94 by wanker, Apr 3, 2008
Next you should do the same article on Excel and show the sorting and formulas, then Outlook showing the rules and find option, then every other peice of popular software or web tool. I bet the people that need these articles will also click on ads. You're the best.
#95 by Tanner, Apr 3, 2008
It kinda sucked cause i knew how to do all of that exept for the last one, plus u can find that all when you click on advanced search...
#96 by Digg geeks, Apr 3, 2008
Pay no attention attention to them... they seem to have an opinion on everything. Mostly the opinion is defined in one word...lame. Windows...lame. Bush...lame. Obama ...lame. Hillery and Bill...double lame. Anyone who actually knows real girls...lame! Linux.... totally awesome and the answer to all the worlds problems! My opinion... Digg regulars...LAME!
#97 by Colin Van Der Heide, Apr 3, 2008
I knew some of the things and some did not know...yeah was good
#98 by bungle, Apr 3, 2008
If you all knew this why did you go to the article i the first place?
#99 by Brit, Apr 3, 2008
its also very usefull as a money converter. i.e put in,

"$10 to pounds" and youl get your answer
#100 by doubleagame, Apr 3, 2008
old info but a good refresher nonetheless.
#101 by Amazingly awesome guy , Apr 3, 2008
It can also convert Imperial system measurements to Metric and vise versa.

For example, type "35 miles".
#102 by zippy is right, Apr 4, 2008
this was lame news
#103 by Snerk, Apr 4, 2008
Cool!
#104 by idiot, apparently, Apr 4, 2008
thanks so much to all the internet fascists out there who assume that everyone knows this stuff. if you feel that your time was wasted reading this because you are all so clever already, why did you further waste your oh so valuable time trying to belittle others who may have found this information useful. if we all assumed everyone knew everything we knew, the world would be a exceedingly dumb place.
#105 by Josey, Apr 4, 2008
Thank you for the information. I didn't know these.
#106 by Another idiot, apparently, Apr 4, 2008
Not everyone knows this stuff so those of you that felt your time was wasted why don't you stop wasting other people's time with your LAME condescending remarks.

You people=FAIL

Nice article, thanks


#107 by Jose, Apr 4, 2008
*Yawn*. Old news my friend.
#108 by Wdillingham24, Apr 4, 2008
ughh i knew all of this, i should have made this article myself
-.- kind of suprising that people didnt know you could do "define:" i use it all the time
#109 by Simple Mindz, Apr 4, 2008
That was interesting. I never knew Google could do all those things. Isn't there a phone number feature too? Not sure - but I remember reading about it somewhere.
I like the math feature! I suck at math...lol
#110 by Marketing Money, Apr 4, 2008
Google does many things.. not sure i care..

http://marketinggraham.blogspot.com/
#111 by Prakash, Apr 4, 2008
Actually this is kindergarten stuff! Basics everybody should and probably already knows!
#112 by StayAtHomeDad, Apr 5, 2008
Great. Amazing!
#113 by Yvonne, Apr 5, 2008
Thanks!
It's very helpful!
#114 by David, Apr 6, 2008
Superb article. Nicely written. Expecting more articles like this.I found another site which might be of use. It has got many neat google tips and tricks like this one. http://www.webupon.com/Search-Engines/10-Essential-Google-Search-Tips--Valuable-Tricks-for-Smarter-Surfers.83038
#115 by jjs, Apr 6, 2008
THANK YOU !!!!!
#116 by Rana Sinha, Apr 7, 2008
Wow! So many useful things. Thanks.
#117 by Xzavian, Apr 8, 2008
I never new any of that. I found it to be very interesting.
#118 by Xzavian, Apr 8, 2008
I never new any of that. I found it to be very interesting.
#119 by Xzavian, Apr 8, 2008
I never new any of that. I found it to be very interesting.
#120 by amazed, Apr 9, 2008
I'm amazed at how many ignorant people put down others as "lame" or stupid when they cannot even spell! Such as "f*** u"....and they consider themselves so clever!
#121 by nohelpatall, Apr 11, 2008
I knew most of these already.
#122 by NasirJumani, Apr 12, 2008
Had already Known them all, although good for newbies...
#123 by KeefHennessey, Apr 12, 2008
I know a whole bunch of other things about Google that everyone should know before they get a license to use a computer. Once they are posted, I will tell you that I already knew them. So there
#124 by AACCSS, Apr 13, 2008
When researching the calculating Google, I also discovered that it acts as a currency converter
Lets say you want to find out what $$3CDN(canadian) is in GBP's(british pounds):

u type: 3CDN in GBP

You have to know ur accronyms though!
#125 by !!flameboy!! ;), Apr 17, 2008
You spelt antidisestablishmentarianism wrong
*shakes head* good page though
#126 by Busey, Apr 26, 2008
Did any of you clever cats know you can use your calculator as a calculator? It's pretty crap at finding websites and other info though.

But on a calculator if you type in 55378008, then turn the calculator upside down, you will have a very amusing surprise. Can google do that? I don't think so... Google shmoogle, that's what I say.
#127 by unanimous, Apr 26, 2008
Its spelled disestablishmentarianism and 55378008 upside down on a calc is boobless.
#128 by unanimous, Apr 26, 2008
Its spelled disestablishmentarianism and 55378008 upside down on a calc is boobless.
#129 by Zippy sucks for meths, Apr 27, 2008
and he's good at it too.

Good article - cheers
#130 by iso, Apr 28, 2008
apparently can be used for searching the internet too...what will these google boys & girls thing of next...amazing!
#131 by GANGSTA, Apr 29, 2008
cool article dude! i never knew that google could do that!! haha, but i did know that you can actually view, pan and tilt remote security cameras! its hilarious, heres the link:

http://tinyurl.com/2s4x6q
#132 by Fu%^ Me I'm Famous..., Apr 29, 2008
Do you guys really think that the author is giving a damn? He is probably there having fun watching his revenue on this article grow.

I think Triond needs to be better regarding which articles to put on the Hot Spot. Yeah, I know it is based on how many viewers view it, but I am sure they can do something.
#133 by zippy may be right..., Apr 29, 2008
...but i don't see him on the hot users list. if you are a hot user, you probably have good revenue coming in. props eimaj. BOOOO zippy.
#134 by Wicke, Apr 30, 2008
I memorized few with full syntax but actually knew that all those features are avaible in Google.
#135 by Fu%^ Me I'm Famous..., Apr 30, 2008
Zippy, OMG, I meant the Hot Content dude...Why do you do this to me?
#136 by get a life zippy, Apr 30, 2008
First i thought the article was nice. some new tips. But then i started reading the comments...n i cldnt stop laughing!! they overshadow the article...
i dunno if this article was abt google or the lame zippy who needs to get a life. hez been giving the author more hits on the article than anybody else im sure.
Eimaj, i think u must thank zippy!! he must have made u some bucks.
#137 by Abou, Apr 30, 2008
you forgot to mention what happens when you type Chuck norris
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