Last Updated: December 2024
What is Search Google or Type a URL?
Internet users regularly argue over whether to type a URL or conduct a Google search. It’s a reality that although most people prefer to use Google to conduct their searches, occasionally they would rather type a URL to be taken to a certain website.
But which method serves the best and when? In this article, we will dig deep into the advantages and disadvantages of both methods to help you improve your search experience.
What is an Omnibox? In-Depth Explanation
Google Chrome presents Omnibox, one of its unique features. It works as an address bar where one can type a URL. And, it’s also a search engine that allows you to conduct searches.
Omnibox is perfectly designed to perform mathematical calculations. It can answer questions as well which enables internet users to quickly access information.
Omnibox gives customers the option to “search Google or type a URL,” giving them flexibility in selecting the method of information access that best suits their needs. With it, locating the appropriate content becomes simple. Omnibox thus offers a rapid and efficient way to browse the internet, whether it is by entering a specific web address or utilizing keywords to obtain results.
Search Google or Type Web Address
Though usually, the above-mentioned prompt appears, an alternative version also may pop up in Omnibox. However, the purpose remains the same. Whether to search Google or type a URL, finally depends upon users’ search intention, and what they aspire to achieve from the search.
There are unquestionably many ways to search the internet for information. It is possible to explore various websites, apps, and social media platforms. However, searching Google or inputting a URL are the most often utilized ways when we need to locate the proper information on a certain website or when we want content that falls under a certain set of keywords.
So, how to know which is a better choice? Here we have discussed the advantages and disadvantages of both these methods. It can help you make better searches, enabling you to find content that fulfills your requirements.
Searching on Google – Search Google or Type a URL
Our life would be impossible without the Internet. Even though we use it almost constantly, it can frequently be difficult to select the precise piece of information from a plethora of possibilities that addresses our particular questions. In particular, we require quick access to information. That’s where Google comes into play.
The easiest way to find information is to type the keyword you want to explore. As you type the keyword in the search bar, the search engine displays the websites which contain the information aligned with your keywords.
This is a useful method for conducting an internet search. Consider a scenario where you need clarification on the website address containing the content you are looking for. Or maybe you just don’t know how to go there to find that. This implies that you will eventually need to comb through search engine result pages to locate a website that meets your expectations. Users occasionally load many web pages to find what they’re looking for.
Sure, this can be a time-consuming process. But, if you don’t know the right site or you are unsure of the address of a site, this is the best-proven way to find what you are looking for.
Typing a URL
But, what if you know the site where you can find your desired information? You can simply type the unique identity of the site you are looking for to get directed to that site.
The complete URL must be typed into the address bar. You can quickly locate the website you want to visit after you hit enter. Sorting through search engine result pages is not necessary. You’re not required to enter any other place.
Sometimes you may need specific information on a website, the address of which is known to you. You can enter the URL, followed by the relevant keywords which best express your intention to search the specific information. And, you can find exactly the right webpage that contains your desired information.
‘Type a URL’ is a straight gateway. It saves you a lot of time. You can bookmark a website or copy the URL from somewhere else to directly enter a specific website, even a webpage.
Searching for a specific keyword or phrase
As mentioned before, searching for a specific keyword or phrase can be time consuming. Is there a way that cuts down the time to look into every site that pops up?
Thankfully, it does. You can enclose your phrase or keyword in quotations. For example, you can search for the “best ASO company” by just typing in “best ASO company.” This will assist Google in understanding that you are searching for this specific word combination. Using this strategy will yield more relevant search results.
You can also use Google advanced search features. On clicking the ‘Settings” button, you have to select ‘Advanced search”. And, now you can put the exact keywords, eliminate certain terms, and you also can search for information on a particular website or in a predetermined time frame.
Searching a specific site
Users often search for specific information on particular websites. If you know the URL of a site, you can use the “site:” operator to search for an exact phrase or keyword on a particular website.
For instance, you may type “site:nextgrowthlabs.com ASO service” into the Google search bar to find information on “ASO services” on the Nextgrowthlabs website. Every page on the Nextgrowthlabs website that has “ASO services” will be retrieved by Google.
The “Site:” operator is an incredibly helpful tool for rapidly locating a specific webpage from a website that has multiple webpages. Not only can you skip the site’s navigation, but you can also exclude other websites that use related keywords.
Google autocomplete
Google autocomplete predicts search keywords or phrases based on their search volume. However, some autocomplete suggestions may not appear due to their novelty, lack of popularity, or violation of Google policies. But, with the help of Google’s autocomplete feature, users get quick access to keywords which other people also search for. If that matches your requirements, you can skip typing the entire keyword or key phase.
Voice search
You can use voice search to fully avoid typing. This is a viable method of locating content in addition to using Google or entering a URL. Clicking on the microphone symbol in the search box allows you to access voice search, which is now available on PCs and mobile devices.
After you provide Google access to your device’s microphone, all you have to do is click the microphone icon to speak your search query into it at a later time. It’s a great handy way to conduct a search when your hands are full or you don’t want to input the entire keyword.
Check for Yourself With a Quick Experiment
According to the previous methods, you can use Google search or type web address to find out the information you are looking for. To evaluate which method is the best, you can experiment:
Step 1: Choose a topic of your choice. Open a new tab in your browser and go to the Google URL search bar. Start typing in the bar but make sure to not use any keywords.
Step 2: Open a new tab in your browser and enter a URL of the site where you expect to find your chosen topic. You should always type URL (main link) unless you know the specific page.
Compare the results: Conduct this experiment by opening the tabs side by side. From step 1, you will get a search results page with lots of links pointing to the best answer the Google Search Engine thinks you are looking for. From step 2, you will get a search results page that displays the URL you specified.
Therefore, website owners, administrators, and content writers can more accurately ascertain their user base and habits by knowing how to search Google or put in a URL. To plan how to optimize your search engines to achieve the greatest results for your website, you can also search or write in a URL.
Maximizing Your Internet Search Experience: Search Google or Type a URL
Frequently, you may become perplexed with such many search results. It could be difficult for you to locate the precise information you need. Nonetheless, you can expedite your search process and discover more precise answers for your inquiries by using the Google search or type a URL function.
To quickly access relevant information regarding a broad topic or a narrow search phrase, these processes are extremely useful and timely. On top of that, they are available both on mobile and computer devices.
Noteworthily, there’s no ultimate guide to using Google. Precisely because Google is constantly updating its search algorithms and key features. Most likely, you will receive useful tips about using the methods while using the search engine on a regular basis.
Search Google or Type URL Hacks
Now that you know how you can leverage URL or Google search, let’s see some of the tricks or hacks you can use:
- Find Websites that Linked Your Website or a Particular Website
This is essentially a useful hack for bloggers. When running a website, knowing which websites have liked your websites can help you find a similar audience. To know this, use the following syntax:
Link: URL of the target website or our website
- Find a Specific File
If you want to use the Google search or enter URL feature to search a particular type of file, use this syntax:
[keywords(s)] filetype:<write the file type here>
For instance, if you are working on a school project for Water Life Cycle and require PDF files on a topic, you have to type:
Water life cycle filetype: pdf
- Set a Timer
Even better, the Search Google tool allows you to set a timer. You can ask Google to set a timer for you if you have a tight deadline and want to finish it in the allotted amount of time. Apply the syntax as follows:
- Search Google or type a URL meme
In essence, this is not a hack. You can, however, search for or type URL or address memes. These humorous, widely shared search images have their roots largely in the early internet era. Google provides keyword-related search suggestions when you type in a query, and some of the results are strange or even comical!
To sum up
As this blog post explains in detail, search Google or type a URL – both methods have their pros and cons. In fact, you can not simply choose one for the best search experience. Instead, using both of them according to your requirements is the smartest way.
It implies that you can go directly to a website if you know its URL and are certain that the information you need is there. It’ll shorten the time you spend looking. Nevertheless, you have to open webpages and navigate through search engine result pages before you can select the desired one if you don’t know where to look for the information.
Simply put, whether you search Google or type a URL depends upon your specific situation. In fact, both are helpful. And, together they can render a better search experience.