To use Google, go to google.com in any web browser (or open the Google app on your phone), type a few words describing what you want into the search box, and press Enter. Google shows a page of results; click a blue title to open that website, or use the filters near the top, such as Images or News, to change the kind of results you see.
That’s the whole basic loop: search, scan, click, and adjust your words if the results aren’t right. The rest of this guide shows how to search faster and more precisely, how to read the results page (including AI answers), how to search by voice, and how to tell whether a source can be trusted.
Quick Answer
- Open a web browser and go to google.com, or open the Google app on your phone.
- Click or tap the search box and type a few key words, such as weather Chicago.
- Press Enter (or tap the search key or magnifying glass).
- Scan the results and click a title to open a page. Use the back button to return.
- Use filters like Images, News, or Videos to narrow the type of result.
- Refine with quotes for exact phrases, a minus sign to exclude words, or site: to search one website.
In This Guide
- What you need
- How to do your first Google search
- How to read the results page
- Use filters: Images, News, Maps, Shopping, and more
- Search smarter with operators
- AI Overviews and AI Mode
- Search with your voice or a picture
- SafeSearch: control explicit results
- Check whether a source is trustworthy
- Which search tool should you use?
- Troubleshooting
- Frequently Asked Questions
What You Need
Google Search is a free service that looks through billions of web pages and shows you the ones most likely to answer your question. You don’t need an account to search, although signing in with a Google Account lets you see your search history and personalized results.
This guide covers Google Search as of September 2026 on:
- Computers (Windows, Mac, or Chromebook) using any modern web browser, such as Chrome, Edge, Safari, or Firefox.
- Phones and tablets using the Google app (Android, iPhone, and iPad) or a mobile browser.
Google changes its results page often, and some features roll out by country, language, or account. If a button or label described here looks slightly different on your screen, look for the closest match.
If you want Google to open every time you start your browser, see how to make Google your homepage, or how to set Google as your default browser in Windows 11.
How to Do Your First Google Search
On a computer
- Open your web browser. Click its icon on the taskbar, dock, or desktop.
- Go to Google. Click the address bar at the top, type google.com, and press Enter. Expected result: The Google home page opens with a large search box in the middle.
- Type your search. Click the search box and type a few words about what you want, such as how to boil an egg. You can also type a whole question. Expected result: Suggestions appear below the box as you type.
- Run the search. Press Enter, or click one of the suggestions. Expected result: A results page appears.
- Open a result. Click a blue or purple title. Expected result: That website opens.
- Go back to your results. Click your browser’s back arrow (top left) to return and try another result.
Tip: In most browsers you can skip google.com and type your search straight into the address bar. It searches with your browser’s default search engine, which may or may not be Google.
On a phone or tablet with the Google app
- Install the Google app from the Play Store (Android) or App Store (iPhone and iPad) if it isn’t already on your device. Many Android phones include it already.
- Open the Google app and tap the search box at the top.
- Type your search and tap the search key on the keyboard. Expected result: Results appear, and you can scroll to see more.
- Tap a result to open it. Tap back to return to your results.
Tips for writing good searches
- Start simple. Two to five key words usually beat a long sentence. Add more words only if the results are too broad.
- Don’t worry about capitals. Searching New York pizza and new york pizza gives the same results.
- Spelling is forgiving. Google often corrects typos or suggests the right spelling with a “Did you mean” or “Showing results for” message.
- Use the words a website would use. Instead of “my head hurts,” try “headache causes.”
- Add context to ambiguous words. “Jaguar” could mean the animal or the car. Try “jaguar animal habitat” or “jaguar car price.”
- Try again with different words. If you don’t find it on the first page, rephrase rather than clicking through many pages.
How to Read the Results Page
The results page can include several kinds of information. Knowing what each part is helps you pick the best link.
- Regular results: Each has a title (the clickable link), the website’s name and address, and a short snippet of text from the page.
- Ads: Some results at the top or bottom are paid ads, labeled as sponsored. They can be useful, but they are placed by advertisers.
- AI Overviews: For some searches, an AI-generated summary appears near the top with links to its sources. See the AI section below.
- Special panels: Maps for places, weather cards, sports scores, shopping listings, videos, and “People also ask” questions can appear depending on your search.
- Related searches: Near the bottom, Google suggests other searches people make on the same topic.
Google says it doesn’t accept payment to rank websites higher in its regular results, so the order of those results isn’t something a site can buy. Ads are the paid placements, which is why they’re labeled.
Use Filters: Images, News, Maps, Shopping, and More
After you search, a row of filters appears near the search box. These narrow your results to one type of content. Google shows filters that fit your search, so the list changes from search to search. Common ones include:
| Filter | What it shows | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| All | The standard mix of results | Most searches |
| Images | Pictures from across the web | Seeing what something looks like, finding photos or diagrams |
| News | Recent articles from news sources | Current events and breaking stories |
| Videos | Video results from many sites | How-to demonstrations |
| Maps | Places on a map with directions | Businesses, addresses, and “near me” searches |
| Shopping | Products and prices from stores | Comparing products before you buy |
| Web | Plain text links only | Skipping AI Overviews and other features |
| Books | Books and book previews | Research and quotes |
If you don’t see the filter you want, look for a More option or scroll the filter row sideways on a phone.
Narrow results by date
For time-sensitive topics, use Tools (it appears near the filters on some results pages) to limit results to the past day, week, month, or year. For even more control, Google’s Advanced Search page lets you fill in fields such as exact words, words to exclude, language, region, and file type without memorizing any symbols.
Search Smarter with Operators
Search operators are special symbols or words you add to your search to give Google precise instructions. Google’s rule of thumb: don’t put a space between the operator and your search term.
| Operator | What it does | Example |
|---|---|---|
| “quotes” | Finds that exact word or phrase | “tallest building” |
| – (minus) | Removes results with a word | jaguar speed -car |
| site: | Searches only one website or domain | site:nasa.gov moon landing |
| -site: | Excludes a website | cat videos -site:youtube.com |
| before: | Results from before a date | astronomy discovery before:2025/11/01 |
| after: | Results from after a date | avengers endgame after:2020 |
| filetype: | Only a certain file type | photoelectric effect paper filetype:pdf |
| define | Shows a word’s definition | define serendipity |
How to use the three most useful operators
- Quotes for exact phrases. Put quotation marks around words that must appear together in that order, such as a song line, an error message, or a full name. Expected result: Pages containing that exact phrase rise to the top.
- Minus to exclude. Put a minus sign directly in front of a word you don’t want, with no space. For example, apple pie -recipe finds pages about apple pie that aren’t recipes.
- site: to search inside one website. Type site: followed by the domain, then your words. For example, site:irs.gov standard deduction searches only the IRS website. You can also search a whole type of site, such as site:.gov.
You can combine operators. For example, “passport renewal” site:state.gov finds that exact phrase only on the US State Department’s site. Google’s help page on refining Google searches lists the current operators.
AI Overviews and AI Mode
Google Search now includes two AI features. Both use generative AI, which means software that writes an answer by combining information instead of just listing links.
AI Overviews
An AI Overview is a short AI-generated summary that can appear at the top of your results with links to learn more. It shows up when Google’s systems decide it will be especially helpful, often for questions that need information from several sources.
- Read the linked sources. Google itself warns that AI Overviews can make mistakes and says to check important information in more than one place.
- You can’t switch them off, but you can select the Web filter after searching to see only text-based links without AI Overviews.
- Give feedback with the thumbs up or thumbs down icons at the bottom of an overview, where you can also report a problem.
AI Mode
AI Mode is a separate, conversational way to search. You ask a question, get an AI-written response with links, and then ask follow-up questions to dig deeper.
- Go to google.com and select AI Mode near the search bar, or go directly to google.com/ai. In the Google app, tap AI Mode on the home screen.
- Type your question. You can also use your voice, an image, or a file, depending on your device.
- Read the response and open the links it cites.
- Type a follow-up question to go further, such as “what about for a small apartment?”
Google says most AI Mode features are for users 18 and older, and supervised children may use it through Family Link. It also warns that AI Mode doesn’t always get things right and can misinterpret web content, so verify anything important. See Google’s AI Mode help page for current availability.
Search with Your Voice or a Picture
Voice search on Android
- Open the Google app.
- Tap the Microphone in the search box.
- Say your search, such as “what time does the library close.” Expected result: Google turns your words into a search and shows results.
Google notes that saying “Hey Google” works only with Google Assistant, not inside the regular Google app search box.
Voice search on iPhone, iPad, or a computer
In the Google app on iPhone or iPad, and on google.com in Chrome on a computer, look for a microphone icon in the search box. Tap or click it and speak. The first time, your device or browser may ask for permission to use the microphone; allow it for voice search to work.
Search with a photo
If you see a camera icon in the search box, that’s Google Lens, which lets you search with a picture instead of words. You can point your phone’s camera at a plant, landmark, or product, or upload an image, to find similar pictures and related information.
SafeSearch: Control Explicit Results
SafeSearch is Google’s filter for explicit content such as sexual or graphic images. It has three settings:
| Setting | What it does |
|---|---|
| Filter | Blocks explicit results. It’s the default for users under 18. |
| Blur | Blurs explicit images. It’s the standard default. |
| Off | Shows all results, which may include explicit content. |
To change it on a computer, go to google.com/safesearch and choose a setting. If the setting has a lock icon at the top right, it’s managed by someone else, such as a parent using Family Link, a school, or a network administrator, and you can’t change it yourself. Google’s SafeSearch help page explains the options. If you want to go further and restrict specific searches on a shared computer, see how to block searches on Google.
Check Whether a Source Is Trustworthy
Google finds pages; it doesn’t guarantee they’re correct. A little checking goes a long way, especially for health, money, legal, or news topics.
Use “About this result”
- On the results page, find the result you want to check.
- Click the More icon (three dots) next to the site’s address.
- Read the panel. Expected result: Depending on availability, you may see how the source describes itself, what other sites or encyclopedias say about it, and when Google first saw it.
Google notes that “About this result” is available only in English and in some regions, so you may not see it everywhere.
Quick checks anyone can do
- Who wrote it? Look for an author, organization, or “About us” page. Official sources (for example, government agencies or the company that makes a product) are usually best for rules and instructions.
- When was it published or updated? Old pages can be out of date, especially for technology, prices, and laws.
- Read laterally. Instead of reading one page deeply, open a few different results and see whether they agree. Google’s own guidance suggests exploring several sources, not just the top result.
- Search the source itself. Search the site or author’s name to see what others say about them. Adding -site: with their domain shows what other websites say.
- Be careful with ads and urgent claims. Pages that pressure you to act fast, pay, or share personal details deserve extra suspicion.
Google’s guide to evaluating information has more tips.
Which Search Tool Should You Use?
| You want to… | Use this |
|---|---|
| Find a website or quick fact | A plain search with a few key words |
| Find an exact quote, error message, or name | Quotes: “your exact phrase” |
| Get results from one trusted website | site: plus the domain |
| Follow current events | The News filter, plus Tools for recent dates |
| Find a place or business near you | The Maps filter or a “near me” search |
| Explore a complicated question step by step | AI Mode, then check its links |
| See only traditional links | The Web filter |
| Search hands-free | The microphone in the Google app |
| Identify something you can see | Google Lens (camera icon) |
Troubleshooting
My results aren’t what I wanted
Try fewer, more specific words, or swap in the words an expert would use. Add context to ambiguous terms, put exact phrases in quotes, and exclude unwanted meanings with a minus sign.
Operators aren’t working
Check for spaces. There should be no space between the operator and the term, as in site:nasa.gov and -car. Also make sure you used straight quotation marks.
I don’t see AI Mode or “About this result”
These features depend on your country, language, age, and account. Make sure you’re signed in to a personal Google Account and your apps are up to date. If it’s still missing, the feature may not be available to you yet.
I can’t change SafeSearch
If you see a lock icon, the setting is controlled by a parent, school, or network administrator. Ask them to change it.
Voice search doesn’t hear me
Allow microphone access for the Google app or your browser in your device’s settings, check that the microphone isn’t muted, and speak after the microphone icon becomes active.
My searches open in a different search engine
Your browser’s address bar uses its default search engine. Go to google.com directly, or change the default search engine in your browser’s settings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a Google Account to use Google Search?
No. Anyone can search at google.com. Signing in adds features such as search history and, where available, AI Mode history.
Is Google Search free?
Yes. Google Search is free to use. Google shows ads, labeled as sponsored, on some results pages.
How do I search for an exact phrase?
Put the phrase in quotation marks, such as “to be or not to be.” Google looks for those words together, in that order.
How do I search only one website?
Type site: followed by the domain, then your words, with no space after the colon. For example: site:nasa.gov mars rover.
Can I turn off AI Overviews?
Google says the feature can’t be turned off, but you can select the Web filter after searching to see only text links.
Are AI answers always correct?
No. Google warns that AI Overviews and AI Mode can make mistakes. Open the linked sources and double-check anything important.
What’s the difference between Google and Google Chrome?
Google Search is the search engine at google.com. Chrome is a web browser, an app for visiting websites. You can use Google Search in any browser, including Chrome.
Summary
- Go to google.com or open the Google app, type a few key words, and press Enter.
- Scan titles and snippets, click a result, and use the back button to try others.
- Use filters such as Images, News, Maps, and Shopping to change the type of results.
- Refine with quotes, the minus sign, and site:, plus Tools for dates.
- Treat AI Overviews and AI Mode as starting points and check their sources.
- Set SafeSearch at google.com/safesearch and use “About this result” to vet sources.
Next step: try three searches right now, one plain, one with an exact phrase in quotes, and one using site: with a website you trust, and compare how the results change.
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.