Google Tips for Techs

In today’s shops information has become just as important of  a tool as a wrench.   All of us are using Google in our daily web life: you search news, videos, images, etc.  Google is also a great tool for searching for all kinds of specs, tech info, forums, tips, parts prices and a whole lot more.  So with this post we have gathered tips from around the web.   Google is not just an search engine it does have some extra features which you might not used so far.  We’ll be taking a look at a few tips that can help us tap into the full power of Google.

Dictionary

Want to know the correct definition for a term or phrase? Google can help with that! Just type “define:” followed by the word into the search bar.

Similar Keywords

Google can help you search for similar keywords to the one you are using. For example, you are looking for tutorials on a 2003 Chevy. Just type “Chevy~Tutorial” into the search bar, and you’re done!

Excluding Keywords

Looking for training on Imports, but not Toyota? No problem! Simply type “Imports-Toyota” into the search bar to find results for all Imports, without having to weed out Toyota links.

Title Search

Want to avoid articles with useless keywords? Try searching titles instead for more direct and relevant results. Just put “intitle:” before your search.

Specific File Types

Are you an instructor looking for classroom resources, or just searching for a specific type of file? Then search by filetype by typing in your search, adding “filetype:”, then inserting the file extension of the result you want. (Example: .ppt, .pdf, .txt)

Searching Within a Specific Website

Looking for something on a specific website? Maybe you need to search iATN;s website for some technical information? Just type your search into the search bar followed by “site:” and the website you wish to search! This will give you a list of related articles only from that specific website.

Date Range

Need information on a Duramax from 2003-2007? Search the date range in Google to get a more relevant search. Remember, you need to use the Julian date format (click here for info). Just type “daterange:”, the Julian dates you wish to search between, followed by your search in quotation marks.

Phonebook Search

Having trouble finding a customer’s phone number? Did you write a customer’s number down wrong? Use Google Phonebook! Just type “phonebook:”, what your looking for, and the city in which you want to look.

Range Search

Looking for a specific part within a certain price range or manufacturing year? Search within a range of numbers on Google. Just type in what you’re looking for, followed by the range in which you’re looking.

Unit Conversions

Need help converting measurements? Google can help! Just type in the measurement you want to convert (Ex: 15 mm) followed by “to” and the unit you wish to convert to (Ex: in).

Calculator

Having trouble with the math involved in Ohm’s Law? Use Google as a calculator. Just type a mathematical equation like “10+12” or “10*12” or “sqrt(100)” in the search bar to find out the answer.

Wild Card Search

Do you know the make of a scan tool but are struggling to remember the model number? Use the Wildcard Search in Google. Just type in what you remember followed by “*” to see all the possibilities.

Currency

Need a quick way to convert currencies? Just type in the currency you want to convert followed by the currency you want to convert into for real time rates!

Weather

Want to know what the weather’s going to be like on your day off? Just type “weather” and your city in the search bar.

World Time

Want to know what time it is for your Vendors overseas? Simple type the city and “time” into Google to find out!

Check out some video tips on Google searching!