Web browsing has become second nature to most people. No one really thinks about it, and few users ever attempt to improve their browsing experience, believing that the internet speed and page loading speed are the only things that matter.
However, if you want to get the most out of search engines and take your browsing to the next level, there are few simple things you should do. So, let’s take a look at the best tips and tricks that will improve your online experience.
Learn How to Narrow Down Your Search
While Google makes it relatively easy to find information online, this isn’t always the case. You’ll often find yourself struggling to find any results at all, or you won’t be able to find exactly what you’re looking for.
To save yourself some time and simplify your search, you should learn the best hacks that will improve your experience:
- Find the exact match for your search by putting your keyword in quotation marks. Let’s say you’re trying to find Samsung Galaxy A51, to ensure you don’t get any results for A50, all you’ll need to do is search “Samsung Galaxy A51”.
- Exclude items from your search by adding a dash. If you’re searching to buy plants online from Amazon and don’t want to receive the results on the plants found in the Amazon rainforest, all you’ll need to do would be to search for Amazon plants -rainforest.
- You can look for specific file types on Google by simply including the format you’re looking for in your search. Adding .GIF, .PNG, etc. to your search will offer you only the results in that file format.
You can find many more simple tips and tricks to narrow down your search when you’re in a pinch, so don’t neglect these options.
Get the Right Browser Extensions
You’re likely already accustomed to using extensions such as ad blockers on your browser, but there are countless extensions you can use to improve your online experience, regardless of the specific browser you’re using.
Some of the most popular extensions include proofreaders (which check all your text for grammar and spelling mistakes, whether it’s in emails, Facebook statuses, or anything in between), screencasts (for recording your screen as you browse), tab managers, and privacy extensions.
There’s a wide variety of unique extensions that can enhance your experience with search engines. Just keep in mind that they have a tendency to slow down your browser, so choose your extensions wisely.
Use Topic-Specific Search Engines
One of the biggest problems with popular search engines is that they offer very broad results. While this can be a good thing at times, it can prove to be often overwhelming and inconvenient.
If you want to truly narrow down your search results and find exactly the information that you’re looking for, using topic-specific search engines is the best option.
Octopart.com is one such example. The browser specializes in information regarding electronic components and is primarily used by engineers looking for very specific products that would be next to impossible to find quickly on Google.
You can find specialized search engines that show flight information, those that help you find blogs, reverse image search engines, and more.
Make Your Life Easier with a Password Manager
The average person has 8.5 social media accounts, and many also have email accounts, banking accounts, and various other app and platform accounts. A good part of those accounts are password-protected, so users need to keep good track of all of their passwords is they’re to access them.
This is why having a password manager on your desktop and mobile browser is a must.
For your passwords to truly be effective, they need to be unique (i.e. not used for more than one account), strong, and impossible to guess.
Keeping track of dozens of such passwords can be exceptionally difficult without a password manager.
The best password managers will generate new, unique passwords every time you need them, and they will keep all your information protected under one master password that you’ll need to memorize.
When they’re active, they can fill out your passwords automatically, saving you time and improving your browsing experience.
Don’t Go Anywhere Without a VPN
Lastly, if you truly want to take your browsing to the next level, you should invest in a top-of-the-line Virtual Private Network (VPN).
VPNs were designed to keep you anonymous online, securing your connection, and making any network a private one. They encrypt your data and online activity, making it next to impossible for anyone to monitor your devices.
However, their best feature is allowing you to browse the internet without censorship. Many sites and pages have geo-restrictions in place that can prevent you from viewing their content. Netflix, for example, has region-specific content, which will prevent you from watching certain shows unless you’re in that region.
VPN helps you bypass these restrictions and makes the internet truly free for all.
The Bottom Line
It doesn’t take much to improve your browsing experience and make the most out of your search engines. With these simple tips and tricks, you’ll become a browsing pro and take advantage of everything that the internet has to offer.