Tips On Searching With Google


Google can be a helpful search tool used everyday for a variety of reasons. Here are some effective ways to search Google that will help get better and quicker results.


If you need further assistance, please visit us, call the Reference Desk: (708) 649-7485, or email: mpref@mpplibrary.org

A pair of bold, black quotation marks.

Definition: Searches for an exact phrase


Example: “leather wallet”


Result: Includes the exact phrase “leather wallet”

A short, black horizontal line segment.

Definition: Excludes search results with a particular word or phrase


Example: water -lakes


Result: Results about water that are not related to lakes

Two horizontal arrows pointing in opposite directions, one above the other, forming a loop icon for repeat or refresh.

Definition: Searches for a word and all its synonyms


Example: ~elderly


Result: Results with the word “elderly,” as well as “older,” “senior,” “aged,” ect.

A list icon next to a plus sign icon, symbolizing an add to list function.

Definition: Searches for webpages that include either word


Example: vacation Italy OR Greece


Result: Results with the word “vacation” and either “Italy” OR “Greece”

Numeric input field with up and down arrows for adjusting values.

Definition: Searches for a range of numbers


Example: George Washington 1789…1797


Result: Results about George Washington during this time period

A black icon of a speech bubble containing a lowercase letter "i," commonly used to represent information.

Definition: Defines a word or phrase


Example: define: farm


Result: Links to definitions of the word “farm”

A line-art icon of a globe with a magnifying glass overlapping it, symbolizing a global search or research.

Definition: Searches only particular websites


Example: global warming site:edu


Result: References to global warming found .edu websites

A black, simple line-art icon of two interlocking chain links.

Definition: Searches for webpages that link to a particular website


Example: link:www.uic.edu


Result: Websites that link to the University of Illinois Chicago website

The four basic mathematical operator symbols: division, addition, multiplication, and subtraction, arranged in a grid.

Definition: Basic calculator functions


Example: 3+3, 40% of 60, 15^5, sqrt(4), ect.


Result: The answer

A black line-art icon of a balanced scale of justice.

Definition: Converts units of measure


Example: cm in foot, 30C in F, $ in pound, days in fornight, miles in league, mph in speed of light, ect.


Result: The converted answer