Google Search Operator Builder
Build advanced Google searches without remembering the syntax: exact phrases, OR, exclusions, site:, filetype:, intitle:, dates and number ranges, plus a cheat sheet.
Operators need no space after the colon (site:example.com, not site: example.com). Google may still show results that do not match every operator exactly.
| Operator | Example | Status |
|---|---|---|
| "exact phrase" | "pour over ratio" | Works — documented by Google |
| -word | jaguar -car | Works — documented by Google |
| site: | site:nasa.gov mars | Works — documented by Google |
| filetype: | annual report filetype:pdf | Works — documented by Google |
| before: / after: | eclipse after:2024-01-01 | Works — documented by Google |
| OR (or |) | burr OR blade grinder | Works, not documented (OR must be capitals) |
| .. | camera $300..$500 | Not documented — results are inconsistent |
| intitle: / allintitle: | intitle:review grinder | Works, not documented — matching is approximate |
| inurl: / allinurl: | inurl:pricing | Works, not documented — matching is approximate |
| intext: / allintext: | intext:"cold brew" | Works, not documented |
| * (wildcard in quotes) | "the * of coffee" | Works, not documented |
| cache: | cache:example.com | Retired in 2024 |
| related: | related:example.com | Retired |
| info: | info:example.com | Retired |
| link: | link:example.com | Retired in 2017 |
| +word | +coffee | Retired in 2011 — use quotes |
| ~word | ~cheap | Retired — Google matches synonyms automatically |
Google understands a handful of search operators that narrow results to one site, a file type, a date range or an exact phrase — but the syntax is easy to forget. Fill in the fields you need and this builder writes the query and a ready Google search link, following Google's own rules (no space after the colon, OR in capitals). A cheat sheet lists which operators still work and which Google has retired.
How to use this tool
- Type your ordinary search words in "All these words".
- Add an exact phrase, alternatives (OR) or words to exclude.
- Limit by site, title, URL, text, file type, date or number range.
- Copy the query, or open the Google link.
Formula
words "exact phrase" a OR b -exclude site:domain -site:other intitle:x inurl:y intext:z filetype:pdf after:YYYY-MM-DD before:YYYY-MM-DD n1..n2
As of November 2026 Google's help page documents quotes, -, site:, before:, after: and filetype:; OR, intitle:, inurl: and intext: still work but are not listed, and the .. number range gives inconsistent results. Multi-word values for intitle:, inurl: and intext: are quoted so they apply to the whole phrase. The link is the query encoded with encodeURIComponent.
Example
Looking for annual reports in PDF on one site: the phrase annual report, site example.com and file type PDF give "annual report" site:example.com filetype:pdf — 3 operators. A camera search excluding used offers between $300 and $500 becomes camera sony OR canon -used -refurbished -site:ebay.com $300..$500.
Frequently asked questions
Does cache: still work?
No. Google removed cached pages and the cache: operator in 2024. Use the Wayback Machine for old copies of a page.
Why do I still get results that do not match?
Operators are filters Google applies on a best-effort basis; intitle: and inurl: in particular are not exact. site: and quotes are the most reliable.
Do these work in other search engines?
Quotes, minus, site: and filetype: work in Bing and most others too; date operators and number ranges are Google-specific.
Sources
Last updated:
Page address with these inputs: https://kakao.mobile/tools/google-search-operator-builder/
Cite or embed this tool
kakaoCalc. (2026, November 8). Google Search Operator Builder. https://kakao.mobile/tools/google-search-operator-builder/
“Google Search Operator Builder.” kakaoCalc, 8 Nov. 2026, kakao.mobile/tools/google-search-operator-builder/.
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