If you’re trying to limit your Google searches to only a specific file type like PDF, you might try putting a PDF keyword in your search to narrow down the results. However, this isn’t really reliable, as you might only see a few PDF documents in your search results.
To fully limit your Google search results to only a specific file type like PDF, you will need to use Google search operators. Such search operators help narrow your PDF search result and get you to the desired search result quickly.
Using filetype: operator
You can pretty easily search for a PDF file using thefiletype:search operator. To do so, you only need to specify the PDF file in thefiletype:search operator and enter your search query.
For example,filetype:pdf python course.
The search query works like a normal Google search, while thefiletype:pdfoperator will limit all the results to only show PDF files. You can change the search query to anything you like to search for the appropriate PDF file.
Furthermore, you’re able to also automatically add thefiletype:pdfoperator using Google advanced search. Here’s how you can do so:
Using “site:” Operator
you may use thesite:search operator to search within a specific domain. If you know the file you’re searching for is on a specific website, you can use this operator to only get results from that website.
For example,site:archive.org python coursewill only show you search results with the relevantPython coursekeyword on thearchive.orgwebsite.
you may also add thefiletype:operator and thesite:operator to limit the search result to a specific file type and a specific domain.
For example,site:archive.org filetype:pdf .
Using “-” Operator
The-search operator can be used to exclude certain words from your search results.
For example, if you want to search for a PDF file excluding the wordsdefenestration, you may search forfiletype:pdf -defenestration.
Furthermore, the-operator can also be combined with thesite:operator to exclude certain sites from your search results.
For example,filetype:pdf -site:archive.org python coursewill exclude thearchive.orgwebsite from your search results.
Using “ ”Operator
The“ ”operator can be used to include specific order of words or sentences in your search result.
For example, thefiletype:pdf python course “python is a programming language”will verify all of your PDF search results have the “python is a programming language” sentence in them.
Using “inurl:” and “intitle:” Operators
you’re able to also use theinurl:andintitle:search operators to narrow down your PDF search result even more. As the name suggests, theinurl:operator makes sure a specific keyword is present in the website url, and theintitle:operator makes sure a specific keyword is present in the article title.
For example,inurl:pdf intitle:pdf python coursewill make sure your search results contain pdf in their url and title, alongside the relevant search query.
Optimizing Your Google Search
Here are some tips and tricks you’re able to use to get relevant search results:
