Moz’s guide lists 62 Google search operators and use cases for refining queries, research and site audits.
Mastering Google Search Operators
Moz explains Google search operators through 67 examples covering content research and site audits.
About Mastering Google Search Operators
This Moz guide by Dr. Peter J. Meyers explains Google search operators through 67 examples. It is organized into five sections: Content Research, Title Research, Plagiarism Check, Competitive Research, and Technical SEO/Audits, and shows how operators work in context and in combination.
Published March 1, 2017, it includes a content-research walkthrough using Tesla-related searches to demonstrate quotation marks for exact match, OR and parentheses for combining terms, and minus for excluding terms.
Key features
- 67 examples of Google search operators in context
- Content research walkthrough using Nikola Tesla queries
- Exact-match search using quotation marks
- Combine terms with OR operator or pipe symbol
- Group search conditions with parentheses
- Exclude terms with minus operator
Best for: People learning to use Google search operators for content and SEO research.
Good for
- Organized into five functional sections
- Shows real-world use and combining operators
- Can be read in order or skipped by section
Mastering Google Search Operators at a glance
- Category
- Search & Reference › How-To Guides
- Type
- Website
- Pricing
- Not confirmed. Check the site
- Platforms
- Web
- Open source
- Not stated
- Language
- English
- Last checked
- Oct 5, 2026 · Online when checked
- Listed
- Oct 5, 2026
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Mastering Google Search Operators FAQ
How do I force an exact-match search?
Put quotation marks around the phrase to require Google to match the full phrase in order.
How do I search for either of two terms?
Use OR in all-caps between terms, or use the pipe symbol (|).
How do I exclude a term from results?
Add a minus sign before the term, such as tesla -motors.
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