13 Simple Yet Powerful Tricks to Upgrade Your Google Search Skills

Google, undeniably the largest internet-based company globally as reflected by the available data, offers more than just the basic search functionality that most of us are accustomed to. There exists countless other features and possibilities that this colossal engine holds and can surprise every one of us. This bounteous list of Google search tricks was compiled by Karissa Giuliano for CNBC and presents a riveting exploration of Google’s myriad capabilities. Additionally, you might also find our articles on what you can accomplish on other Google platforms like Chrome riveting.

The phrase “Google it” has firmly embedded itself in our daily lexicon, highlighting Google’s unquestionable online search dominance. With over 900 million people using Gmail and 11.9 billion searches each month, it is clear that Google is a ubiquitous part of everyday life. Despite this, there are a number of amazing Google tricks that you might not be aware of. These tricks can provide added convenience or even be a source of fun entertainment.

1. **Stay on track with timing:**
A quick workaround exists for those moments when you’re waiting to make that urgent phone call or have to pick the kids up from school in a few minutes but don’t have your smartphone handy to check the time. Simply type “set timer to 13 minutes and 13 seconds” into Google, and an immediate countdown will commence, making this a nifty solution to keep your time in check.

2. **Search your favorite websites effortlessly:**
The “site:keyword” command makes browsing through your favorite websites an effortless task. For example, entering “site:cnbc.com FIFA” into the search bar will yield results solely from the CNBC website that pertain to FIFA.

3. **Instant flight status check:**
Google can eliminate the need to navigate through the airline’s website to verify if your flight is on schedule. All the important flight information is just a quick type of your flight number into Google away. No more hassle navigating the airline’s website.

4. **Pondering your meal?**
For those calorie-conscious individuals or anyone indecisive about what to eat, Google provides an all-informed decision. A simple Google search such as “hot dog vs. pizza” will offer a complete nutritional breakdown to help you decide what’s best for your dietary needs.

5. **Easy weather forecast:**
Now you don’t need to hassle going to a specific weather site and punching in your city’s ZIP code to get a weather update. Simply type your city’s name followed by the word “forecast” into the google search bar for a quick and accurate weather forecast. This nifty feature eliminates a lot of steps and gets you your desired information in no time – perfect for last-minute vacation planning.

6. **Relive an old game:**
Fancy an enticing blend of nostalgia and entertainment? You can relive the past by typing “Atari Breakout” into Google Images, and voila! The ever-appealing and timeless Internet distraction suddenly graces your screen.

7. **Smart and streamlined search:**
Fine-tune your Google searches by eliminating unwanted results. If you type a minus sign (-) before a word, Google will omit that word from the search results, yielding a more precise and relevant set of results.

8. **Unit conversion made easy:**
Be it kilometers, miles, yards, or any other metric, Google aids with quick conversions. Simply input the measurements you wish to convert, and Google will handle the rest of the task swiftly.

9. **Switch up your perspective:**
This may not be universally practical but undeniably adds an entertaining twist to your browsing experience. Make your screen tilt by merely searching the term “tilt.” This is one of many amusing features engineered into Google for a tad bit of online humor.

10. **Track the sun:**
Google even allows you to monitor the movements of the sun. Precise information regarding sunrise and sunset times anywhere and at any time is just a few keystrokes away.

11. **Tip calculation made easy:**
Are you ending a meal out and youre unsure of what tip to give? Just type “tip calculator” into Google, enter the bill amount, how many are paying and your desired tip percentage to get your answer.

12. **Hunt out specific images:**
Google’s Reverse Image Search enables users to drag an enticing image with an unknown source into the search bar, locating the original source—perfect for tracking down recipes from uncredited photos or attributing sources for reposting images.

13. **Toss a virtual coin:**
Toss dilemmas out the window. By pressing the microphone icon (or typing) on Google’s search bar and saying “flip a coin” or “heads or tails,” Google can simulate flipping a coin when you don’t physically have one.

Source: [CNBC](http://www.cnbc.com/id/102726578)

This article was updated in 2025 to reflect modern realities.