Typing keywords into the search box is usually your first attempt at finding something on the web. A few simple operators make searching even faster:
"…" – Double Quotation Marks
Exact phrase: wrap your words in double quotation marks to find them exactly as written and in that order. For example, "cool free photoshop brushes" only finds that phrase, not best free photoshop brushes or awesome free photoshop brushes.
- – Minus Sign
Excluding words: add a minus sign directly before the word you want to exclude, with no space. For example, abstract background image -jpg finds abstract background images but leaves out results that mention jpg (a few JPEG results may still appear).
filetype: – File Type
Searching one file type: type filetype: followed by the extension, such as jpg or pdf, before your keywords. For example, filetype:pdf design finds PDF files related to design.
site: – Search Within a Site
Searching within one website: type site: before a domain, then your keywords. For example, site:identitydesign.us tutorial finds pages about tutorial on identitydesign.us.
* – Placeholder
Placeholder: an asterisk between keywords acts as a placeholder, so Freelance * Design finds Freelance Graphic Design, Freelance UI/UX Design and more.
OR – Either One of Several Words
Either one of several words: design award 2010 OR 2011 returns results for either year. OR must be in capital letters.