
I recommend that you follow along on Google using a laptop since that’s predominantly how this course will be taught. That way, you can practice the techniques as you progress throughout the course.
Before we dive into the content, you can also download a visual guide I’ve created for you. You can bookmark it or download it as a PDF for future reference, or print it out and keep it by your desk.
Search operators help you narrow down search results, and they can be useful for everything from content research to finding online discussions to technical SEO results. But do you know why we should use them? Click play to find out.
We kick off basic searches with an exact match. This one’s a well-known, simple trick: searching a phrase in quotes will yield only pages with the same words in the exact same order as what’s in the quotes.
Here’s a lesser-known trick: searching a phrase with an asterisk replacing a word will search all variations of that phrase.
If you want to conduct an "either/or" search—to search for pages that include one word or another word, but not necessarily both—you have to insert the OR operator between the two keywords.
Sometimes Google searches are too general and give you results for things that aren’t relevant to you. Let's learn to exclude certain terms.
Sometimes you want to search for something on a specific website. Fortunately, we can do that! Type your search terms followed by site: and then the website.
Have you ever found a web page you really like, and then wondered if there were any more like it? Wonder no more because you can use Google’s related search to display pages that are in some way similar to the specified page.
If you're looking for a specific kind of file on the internet, use filetype: to search only for uploaded files that match your query.
If you’ve ever been tasked with finding a specific image for, let’s say a client’s powerpoint presentation, you’ll know that clients can be very specific about imagery. Fortunately, Google Images can be tailored to help you find the impossible.
I use reverse image search all the time, it’s one of the handiest tools on the web. I’ve used it to help confirm that a vacation rental home I’m about to snag for a client is real, and I’ve used it to confirm the identity of people on LinkedIn.
Bookmark these sites as they may come in handy one day!
Google Trends is great for market research, comparing products, or even the popularity of certain search terms, companies, or websites.
Check out the searches you can run right from the Google search bar! These include but are not limited to: tracking packages, searching for flights, and checking times across the globe.
Not all resources on the web are trustworthy. Let's learn about red flags and how to ensure the sources you're finding are reliable.
Now that your search skills have been sharpened, let's flex your email skills. In this quick video, you'll learn 4 proven methods that will help you find nearly any one's email.
Thank you for your time!
This is a FREE course. My goal is to give you the know-how to be able to search anything clients through your way.
It's quick, each lesson covers one main concept. Within 30 minutes, you'll have some new tips and tricks to help you Google anything like a pro!
Everyone knows how to "Google," but not everyone can call themselves a Google pro. This course will teach you how to use Google Search like a pro and find accurate information fast. Every time.
**Although this course was created with executive, virtual, and personal assistants in mind, everyone will benefit from the content in this course.**
Have you been asked to do the following on behalf of your clients?
Research and compare the best products
Research the best restaurants / hot spots / points of interest
Research domestic and international travel info
Run qualitative (words and meanings) and quantitative (numbers and statistics) searches
Track down email addresses for (almost) anyone
Confirm vacation / holiday listings for accuracy (and avoid scams)
Track down specific articles buried in a website
Hunt down specific products your client wants to buy
This course will teach you how to find all of the above, and so much more. Soon, your clients will swear that you have access to a corner of the internet that they don't!
Here’s what you are going to learn in this course.
Find almost anything online. Nearly everything is searchable, and you’re going to learn how to conduct complex searches using basic search techniques.
Master advanced searches in Google with the help of special commands called operators.
Check the validity of the sources that you’re finding.
Utilize reverse image searches to weed out vacation and rental home scams.
Find the best and most accurate information for your searches. No fake news in this course.
Bonus: Learn 4 different (proven) methods to find nearly any email address online.
About the instructor (and her search skills):
I'm Erin, a freelance Virtual Assistant, and VA Mentor. Some of my most in-demand services include deep-dive research and email-finding. I was trained in advanced search techniques in 2012, and have since kept up with the latest Google search trends.
My clients often claim that I must have access to "a different Google than they do."
Shopify hired me as an independent researcher to help develop stories on the history of sneakers, the Window's Solitaire creator, YouTube, and believe it or not - baked potatoes.
My proudest search-related accomplishment is when I tracked down Pussy Riot, the Russian feminist protest punk rock and performance art group in 2014. At that time, there was no information about how to get in touch with the group members. After jumping through some considerable search-hoops, I connected with the group and hired them to speak at one of their first US conferences (on behalf of a client).
All in days work.