Google Search Tips

For most people, typing a phrase into the Google search box yields enough relevant results to get the information they’re seeking. However, there are times when it would be helpful to narrow a search further in order to get better results.

One of the things I’ve always found frustrating about Google is its inability to perform a search and then filter based on date/time written. Recently, I was looking for information on survey results and was only able to find the results from a survey that was several years old. Google kept finding articles about the old survey and not the new survey.

I then discovered that Google can filter results by time. And it’s really easy. To enable time-based filtering, type and perform your search as normal. On the search results page, click on the blue link that says “Show options…” A window will open to the left that will allow you to narrow your search results by picking a specific time period.

Another search filter that might be helpful to you is the site search. This will narrow the search to a specific Web site you reference. Here is the format: [Search term] Site: [add a specific Web site address].