Google Search hacks: 4 Features most users don’t know

Google hides useful search tools that most people overlook. Check out these four features to find answers faster, and explore content more efficiently.

Searching on Google can feel overwhelming with billions of pages and new AI tools changing the way results appear. Yet, even with all the noise, Google still offers several hidden features that can help you find exactly what you need. If you master these few simple tricks, then you can save time, refine results, and make searches more precise. Here are four features you should start using today.

Plan Your Trips with Google

These four hidden Google Search features can help you find answers faster. (Pexels)

By MD Ijaj Khan

Ijaj Khan is a technology journalist and Senior Content Producer at Hindustan Times, with over three years of experience covering the consumer technology industry. His work spans smartphones, laptops, wearables, gaming, appliances and AI - from hands-on reviews, comparison and buying guides to breaking news and in-depth features that help readers cut through the noise and make informed decisions. Before joining HT Tech, he worked with Jagran New Media, where he sharpened his instincts for fast-paced digital reporting. He holds a Post Graduate Diploma in English Journalism and Mass Communication from the Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC), Delhi. Whether he's testing the latest flagship smartphone, tracking a major AI announcement, or putting a gaming laptop through its paces, Ijaj approaches every story with the same goal - making technology feel relevant and easy to understand for everyday users, not just enthusiasts. When he's not in front of a screen for work, he's usually travelling to a new city, hunting for great food, or keeping tabs on what's next in tech before everyone else catches on.

Read moreRead less

Google can quickly calculate travel times between locations. Typing a query like “Delhi to Rishikesh, Uttarakhand” will show driving directions, bus schedules, and options for walking, biking, or flying. For longer trips, adding “distance” to a search shows the straight-line distance, such as “Delhi to Darbhanga, Bihar distance.” Users can also check flight details by entering flight numbers or airport codes.

Hotel searches are also streamlined. Typing “hotels [city]” allows users to view options, filter by price or rating, and select the number of guests. Time differences between cities can be checked by searching “[city] time” or comparing two locations with “[city] to [city] time.”

Use Google as a Calculator and Converter

The search bar doubles as a calculator. Enter equations like “14x12” to get instant results. Google supports basic arithmetic and more advanced operations, and also handles unit conversions. Queries like “2km to meters” offer the answer along with the formula. Users can convert temperatures, currency, speed, energy, and more by entering “[value, unit] to [unit]” or using Google’s built-in currency and unit converters. Currency searches also link to Google Finance for market updates.

Refine Searches with Boolean Operators and Filters

Improve Image and Video Searches

Google offers tools to refine images and video results by size, colour, usage rights, duration, quality, and source. Reverse image search helps find the source or similar images by uploading a photo or using its URL. On mobile, long-pressing an image in Chrome offers the option to search with Google. Cropping and resizing images further refine results.