How to Maximize Google's Search Features

The Google Web Directory works in combination of the Google Search Technology and the Netscape Open Directory Project which makes it possible to search the Internet organized by topic.

Google displays the pages in order of the rank given to it using the PageRank Technology. It not only searches the titles and descriptions of the websites, but searches the entire content of sites within a category, which ultimately delivers a comprehensive search to the users.

Google also has a fully functional web directory which categorizes all the searches in order.

In case you are feeling lucky:
The I'm Feeling Lucky search button is recommended when searching for a highest ranked web page for a particular search. This saves time in searching for a webpage.

The multi-faceted Google Toolbar:
The multi-faceted Google Toolbar can seamlessly integrate with a user's web browser and be of quick assistance.

Pandora's Box:
Google enables its users to search for U.S. street maps immediately by just typing the street name in the query box.

Latest stock quotes are just a click away. Just type in the company ticker symbol or the name of one of the stock indices stock and mutual fund information and Google will return the relevant information in association with high-profile financial and trading concerns.

Google takes a snapshot of each page it examined as it crawls the web and stores or caches them as a back-up in case the original page is unavailable. This cached link always displays the page in the same manner as it was indexed and this is used by Google to match the relevancy of the page to the query submitted by the user.

The "Cached" link will be missing for sites that have not been indexed, as well as for sites whose owners have requested Google not to cache their content.

Google Web Search Features

Google offers a variety of special features which helps users to find exactly what they are looking which is all in addition to providing easy access to more than 3 billion web pages. The following is an overview of its key features:

Calculator
Google has a built-in calculator function which can be used to calculate mathematical expressions involving basic arithmetic, more complicated math, units of measure and conversions, physical constants and even hexadecimal and binary numbering systems. You can simply enter the expression you'd like evaluated in the search box and hit the Enter key or click the Google Search button.

Dictionary Definitions
When searching about any particular term, if the Google database has a definition or meaning for the term, then it will be highlighted with an underline on the results page. This definition is derived in association with a reliable dictionary source.

File Types
In addition to HTML files, Google search also supports 12 other formats such as PDF, Microsoft Office, PostScript, Corel WordPerfect, Lotus 1-2-3, and others. Additionally, Google also offers the user the ability to "View as HTML", which allows users to view these files in case the corresponding software is not installed on the user's PC. It also eliminates the hazards of opening a virus-infected document.

News Headlines
While searching for a particular term, if that term is also in any of the current news, it is displayed as a separate news link on the results page. This is derived from various news providers who work in association with Google and who let Google monitor them.

Advanced News Search
Advanced News Search, allows visitors to scour headlines by date, location, exact phrases or publication. People can use it retrieve articles from more than 4,500 news outlets publishing on the Web. Advanced News Search lets visitors search for headlines using several parameters. Among other features, people can locate stories that contain an exact phrase, within the Unites States or abroad, or written by a specific publisher.

Similar Pages
The results page also displays a link for 'similar pages' which uses the GoogleScout technology to explore the web for similar pages. This is particularly helpful if you have hit upon a page which has relevant content, but you want something similar but more.

Web Page Translation
This feature is particularly helpful if your search has non-English results. Google offers a facility to automatically translate a page for you in English. Currently, Google supports Italian, French, Spanish, German, and Portuguese languages.

SafeSearch Filtering
Google provides a SafeSearch option to filter pornographic contents from its results page. This is especially useful for shared computers which need to be protected for children surfing the Internet. Google's technology tries to check keywords and phrases, URLs and Open Directory categories and eliminate these from the search results.

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