To exclude a word from Google search, put a minus sign (–) directly in front of it, with no space. For example, jaguar -car finds pages about jaguars that don’t mention “car.” You can exclude several words (jaguar -car -cars -price), exact phrases in quotes (-“used car”), or whole websites (-site:pinterest.com). If you prefer a form, use Google’s Advanced Search page and type words in the none of these words box.
How to exclude words with the minus operator
- Go to google.com or open the Google app.
- Type your search, then add a space, a minus sign, and the word to exclude: jaguar -car.
- Press Enter.
Examples of what you can exclude
| Goal | Search |
|---|---|
| Exclude one word | apple -iphone |
| Exclude several words | python -snake -monty |
| Exclude an exact phrase | coffee maker -"single serve" |
| Exclude a website | chocolate cake recipe -site:pinterest.com |
| Exclude words in page titles | best laptops -intitle:sponsored |
| Exclude a file type | annual report -filetype:pdf |
Use Google Advanced Search instead
- Go to google.com/advanced_search. You can also run a search, click Tools or the settings gear, and choose Advanced search.
- Type your main words in all these words.
- Type the words to leave out in none of these words, separated by spaces.
- Click Advanced Search.
Google converts the form into minus operators for you, which is a handy way to learn the syntax.
Tips for better results
- No space after the minus: -car works. – car doesn’t.
- Exclude variations: Google may still show “cars” when you exclude “car,” so exclude both.
- Don’t exclude too much: Removing common words can hide useful pages. Add exclusions one at a time.
- Combine with quotes: “jaguar speed” -car finds that exact phrase without car results.
- Hyphenated words are fine: A hyphen inside a word, like e-mail, isn’t treated as an exclusion.
Why excluded words still appear
- The word appears in ads, “People also ask,” or other Google features, which don’t always follow operators.
- The page uses a synonym or a different form of the word.
- The word is in a part of the page Google didn’t index, like an image or a menu.
Take a break with Google Snake.
Related: get a Google Knowledge Panel.
Related: remove the Google search bar from your Home Screen.
Related: find keywords on Google.
Related: Search a specific website on Google.
Related: How to search for PDFs on Google.
Frequently asked questions
Does the minus operator work in the Google app?
Yes. It works the same on phones, tablets, and computers.
Can I exclude words from Google Images or News?
Yes. Minus operators work in Google Images, News, and most other Google search tabs.
How do I exclude AI results or certain sites permanently?
Google doesn’t offer a permanent block list. You can use the Web filter under the search bar to show only regular links, or add -site: for sites you want to skip each time.
Does this work in Bing and DuckDuckGo?
Yes. Both support the minus sign to exclude words, and quotes for exact phrases.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.