Building a better query
For most Google searches, simply typing what you want to find does the job. If you want to refine your search, however, these suggestions from our quality team may help.
 

Choose your words carefully

Use words likely to appear on the pages you want

USE [ Idaho luxury hotel ]
NOT [ a fancy place to stay in Idaho ]

USE [ tutorial ] [ introduction ] or [ overview ]
NOT [ help ]

Be specific

USE [ antique metal soldiers ]
NOT [ old toys ]

Be brief

Google limits your query to 10 words maximum
For best results, use a few very precise words


Good grammar counts

Use the uppercase term OR to create logical choices

[ lemur relocation program OR programs ]
[ vacation rental Oahu OR Maui ]

Use a minus sign ("-") to show only pages without specific words (do not include spaces)

[ green jaguar football ]

Google ignores some common words. To force inclusion, use a "+" (do not include spaces)

[ +in +and out ]

To find only pages with a set of words in a specific order, put them in quotes

[ "to be or not to be" ]



Restrict your search

Site: restricts your search to a specific site or domain and can be used to eliminate commercial results from your query

[ research fellows site:IBM.com ]
[ allergies site:.edu ]
[ volunteering site:.org ]
[ 1040 site:irs.gov ]

Use link: to see what sites link to a specific page

[ link:googlestore.com ]

Use info: for links to more info about a page (e.g., pages that mention the URL)

[ info:google.com ]

Enter an address with city and state or zip code for a link to a map

[ 2400 Bayshore Mountain View CA ]

Search specialized areas like Google Groups for advice and suggestions or Google Images for photos


Also check these Google pages for more tips:

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