RuthSalls

Google Search Operators are commands that allow you to find what you’re looking for on the web through modified searches that filter the results so that you find exactly what you want. They are great tools to use in your search engine optimization efforts mostly because they provide you with really useful information: you can check the number of backlinks to a page, or the number of pages indexed by Google for a specific keyword, yours or the competitions’. Using these search operators is actually a white hat method that professionals use for their advanced searches.

            

Here are some really helpful Google Search Operators you can use for your website:

·         “allintext:keyword” – using allintext with your search will show you how many webpages contain that keyword

·         “allintitle:keyword” – using allintitle with your search will show you how many websites contain that keyword in their title tag

·         “allinurl:www.webpage.com” – using allinurl with your search will show you if that page has been indexed by Google

·         “link:www.webpage.com” – using link with your search will show you how many backlinks you’ve got for that page

·         “site:www.website.com” – using site with your search will show you how many pages from your website are indexed by Google

·         “AND” or “+” - using one of these operators will force Google to include a specific keyword in your search. In this way you will combine two keywords in only one search (remember that you shouldn’t put any space after the “+” sign and that the “AND” should be in caps).

·         “-” - using the minus operator will show you search results without that keyword you’ve placed after the operator. The minus sign excludes those pages that contain the specific term.

·         “~” – using the tilde sign will show you synonyms for your term or similar suggestions

·         “keyphrase” – using quotation marks forces Google to search for that exact phrase

·         “OR” or | - using OR or the vertical bar will show you pages that contain your keywords (eg. Iphone or Ipad; Iphone|Ipad)

These are just some of Google’s Search Operators, but I’ll be back soon with more helpful information for your SEO efforts. Stay tuned!