Learn how to optimize upstream tools that provide downstream results, especially if they are frequently used. Arguably one of the most utilized tool for the world…Google search.

Here are tips/tricks to optimize this everyday tool.

1. Use quotation marks to search for a phrase instead of seperate words.
2. Place minus sign to ignore a word (e.g. pancakes recipe -flour).
3. Use “New Incognito Window”, disabled IP address and location tracking. Press Ctrl+Shift+N.
4. Use an asterisk to find a word don’t remember (e.g. America the *).
5. Look for similar sites with “related:”.(e.g. related:reddit.com).
6. Search for topic on specific site with colons (e.g. Lebron James site:espn.com).
7. Search multiple phrases at once with “OR” (e.g. “pancake recipe” OR “waffle recipes”).
8. Gradually add search items terms. This 3 step process provides more targetted results.
   • First Try – Data Science Interviews
   • Second try – Prepare for Data Science Interviews
   • Third try –  How to prepare for Data Science Interviews
9. Use words that website use, don’t talk to google like a human.
   • “I have a broken phone screen” could be replaced with “iphone screen replacement”
   • “I want to make more money” could be replace with “high paying jobs”
10. Use important and unqiue words only. Keep it simple.
    • “Where can I find a car mechanic in my city” replace with “mechanic nearby”.
11. Check time in other countries (e.g. time hk). I use this alot dealing with global workforce.