The fact that Google is used by millions to search the web every day comes as no big surprise, but these ten cool things that you can do with Google might just leave your mouth wide open.
Here’s the scoop on ten of Google’s little-known functions.
- 1. Do you want to find out details about a specific industry for marketing purposes, to check out what your competition is doing, or do you just have an interest in a specific industry or trade? To find blogs in a specific industry (for example, the self storage) industry, type blogs:self storage in your browser. For self storage directories, type directories:self storage in your browser. And for groups, type groups:self storage in your browser. It’s a great way to stay on top of what’s happening in your particular industry.
- 2. Do you have a blog or has your manager asked you to find out who’s been pinning your company’s images in Pinterest? Easy! To find out the answer, type pinterest/source/the-name-of-the-website.comin the browserto find images on Pinterest that were taken from your website. The list will be displayed along with the number of pins. To see the actual images instead of the link, select Google’s image tab.
- 3. Need to calculate a number on the fly? Google’s calculator not only does basic math (addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division), but is a math wizard too. It can do logarithmic calculations, constants (like e and pi), as well as functions like Cos and Sin. Need to translate a number into binary? Trust Google – type 15*3 in binary and there you go.
- 4. Want to know the news about a particular website, your own or competitors? Use the URL, site:the-name-of-the-website and only results for that site will display.
- 5. Has your name dropped in SEO ranks? Maybe you’ve been penalized. To find out, type the name of the website in the browser. For example, to check Kraftykid.com, type Kraftykid.com in the browser. If Kraftykid.com doesn’t come up as number one, it’s probably been penalized.
- 6. Do you have a meeting with someone in a different time zone and need to quickly check what time it is there? For example to check the time in Chicago, type time in Chicago and you will get the local time for Chicago, as well as Chicago’s time zone.
- 7. Are you vacationing in Spain? Do you need to know how to say, Where is the bathroom? Simply type translate where is the bathroom to Spanish and the phrase appears. You can do this for a single word or phrase. For a different language, just change the word Spanish to your language of choice. Traveling in a foreign country couldn’t be easier.
- 8. Do you need to find a restaurant, product, or service in a particular area? Just add the zip code after your search item and you’ll find only those restaurants, products or services for that area. For example, to find art supplies in Bridgewater, NJ, type art supplies 08807 and only art supplies in Bridgewater NJ are displayed, along with phone numbers, a map, and even reviews. If you don’t include a zip code, Google will suggest places near you.
- 9. Want to find out a website’s competitors? This useful tool gives you the names of sites with similar content. For example, if you’re a big Etsy fan and want to check out other websites selling handcrafted items, type related:etsy.com and all related websites with similar content are displayed.
- 10. Do you have to pick someone up at the airport and want updates on the flight? Just type in the flight number, and the top result is the details of the flight and its status.
These ten little known Google gems, should help you utilize Google to its fullest.