This week I’m straying a bit from the typical format. I put together a list of cool things that Google can do for you that aren’t necessarily advertised. Many come from a list list of web search features here. Do you have any others that you like to use?

Search a specific site:

syntax: keywords site:domain.name

example: elephant donkey site:whitehouse.gov

This can be really useful if you can’t find something on a site and it does not contain a site search box or a site map

 

Google SMS:

Send text message from your phone to 46645 for directions or addresses.

example: corvallis, or TO powell’s city of books, portland, or

This retrieves the distance between locations and turn-by-turn instructions via text message. If there is more than one match, Google will only send the top 3 matches. If yours is not in the list, you will need to be more specific, or just use a street address.

 

Get a definition:

syntax: define:word or phrase

example: define:lackadaisical

 

Track a flight:

syntax: airline flightnumber

example: delta 456

 

Numrange search:

syntax: ##..##

example: 1940..1949

So far I have not found a limit to the number of digits, so really, any range of numbers should work. Can be used in combination with keywords: ford cars 1950..1959

 

Who links to you?

syntax: link:your website

example: link:infodoodads.com

267 links, woohoo!

 

Weather:

syntax: weather city, state OR weather zipcode

example: weather corvallis, or

 

Search by number:

• UPS tracking numbers - example search: “1Z9999W99999999999″
• FedEx tracking numbers - example search: “999999999999″
• USPS tracking numbers - example search: “9999 9999 9999 9999 9999 99″
• Vehicle ID (VIN) numbers - example search: “AAAAA999A9AA99999″
• UPC codes - example search: “073333531084″
• Telephone area codes - example search: “650″
• Patent numbers - example search: “patent 5123123″