How to do a Google Search

We’d like to offer three ways that you can perform a Google search.  All three methods will take your search words or phrase, submit them to the Google search engines and return the results of the query.  The three methods to submit a Google search are using the:

1. Browser address bar
2. Google.com site
3. Google app on your iPhone or iPad

In our examples, imagine that you have just purchased fresh shrimp at your local grocery store  and you need to remind yourself how to devein the shrimp before cooking.

Browser Address Bar

Most web browser will allow you to enter a Google search phrase into the address bar of the browser.  In the address bar where you could enter a web address, instead enter your search phrase “How to devein shrimp”

Using the address bar is the most direct way to perform a Google search.  It’s both easy and efficient.

Google.com Site

From your web browser, 1) you can enter google.com into the address bar and go to the Google.com site.  2) At the Google.com site you are presented with a single search bar where you can enter your search phrase “How to devein shrimp”

Google.com Search

There are a couple of advantages of going to the Google site.  First you can be entertained by the Google banner as it changes with holidays and events during the year.  Secondly, it may offer some options like searching directly for images if you are looking for pictures.

Google app

On your iPhone and iPad, you can install a Google app that will also present the single search bar, a weather snapshot and allows you to scroll down the screen for trending news stories.  The app also makes it easier to do a voice search or to use Google lens (search using your camera) to conduct a search.  Tap the icons in the search bar to explore these capabilities.

Search Predictions

As you type, the Google search engine will try to predict or autocomplete what you are searching for based on your previous searches and its history of searches by others.  Use these suggestions to give better search team and faster searches.

Type jim into the search window to see Search Predictions

Search Results

Tap Go on the keyboard to submit the search phrase and Google will present the search results in the browser.  

From this, the essential skills is scrolling down the list of resources and pages presented and tapping on the result that you would like to see.

Google search results on iPad Google app

Filters

Search filters like Images, News, Shopping are available at the top of the search results.  Tap on the filter to filter the search to include only those categories.  It is a handy and convenient way to tune the results to your needs.  

Paid Placements/Ads

The first position in a search result is often a paid ad.  In the screen above, the search was looking for baseball tickets and the first position was “sold” by Google as an ad.  Remember Google is a $$mega-billion company. Paid placement will have an Ad indicator as above.

Paid placements are the price we pay to use Google searches.  Please remember that the paid placement is not always the search item you are seeking.  The resource with the paid placement is always looking to sell you something.  

Eight Useful Google Search Tips 

Exact Match with Quotation Marks

If you search phrase contains multiple words separated by a space, Google will search for pages where the two words are on the same page.  If you wish to search for the exact phrase, surround the two words with quotes (“).

Don’t Worry about Exact Spelling

When you do a Google search, don’t worry about whether your search terms are spelled correctly.  Just do the best that you can and google will offer “corrected” search.  For example, if you can remenber the right combinations of e’s and a’s in a work misspelled like permanemtnly?  Submit it to Google misspelled.  Google will correct.

Picking someone up at the airport

If you are picking someone up at the airport, you only need a flight number and Google will give you the status.

Try:  DL2597

This is much easier that going to a specific airline site.

Track a Package

You can use Google search to find out where your packages are. You can enter any UPS, USPS, or Fedex tracking number directly into the Google search bar, and Google will find and display tracking information about your package.

This is much easier than going to the specific sites for your carrier.

Define a Word

You can get the definition of a word by using Define:word.  Try define:onomatopoeia

The word is defined and something you can’t get from a paper dictionary is audio punctuation!

Search for Information on a Specific Site

You can search for information from a specific site if you use site:web-site-name search-phrase.  For example, if you wanted to find the Siri information on the SeniorTechClub site, use site:seniortechclub Siri

Do the Math

Google will perform any math that you type into the search bar.  Handy if you want to calculate a 20% tip on $29.37. 

Type .2 * 29.37

Google will do the math and bring up a calculator to use for additional math.  Try it:  .2 * 29.37

Tip:  For simple math, consider your iPhone’s Spotlight search.  Here is the nugget: Use iPhone Spotlight Search to Find Apps, Get Reminders, News and More

Search by Voice

Remember that your can press the Microphone key next to the keyboard space bar in order to dictate a search term into the Google search bar.

Dictate Microphone on Keyboard

There are hundreds of other tricks and tips for searching the web using Google.  However, these eight are both useful and easy for Senior Tech Club members.  Give them a try.

Use the following four questions to determine if you understand the skills taught in this lesson.

1. Identify two ways to submit a Google search.
2. Can you describe how Google makes money on Google searches?
3. How do you search for an exact match of a phrase?