Have you ever wanted to search a specific PDF file on Google, but felt overwhelmed by the number of irrelevant results? Maybe you were looking for a book, legal documents, research paper, manual, or report and only wanted to see PDF files in your search results. How can you do that?
The answer is simple: you can use Google search operators (also known as as search parameters) to narrow your search and filter out unwanted results. Google search operators are special commands that you can type into the Google search box or use online tools to modify your search query and get more accurate results.
In this blog post, we’ll show you how to use the filetype:pdf search operator to search for PDF files on Google. We’ll also show you how to combine this advanced search operator with other search operators to further refine your search and find exactly what you’re looking for.
How to search for PDF on Google ? (5 Ways)
PDF files are a popular format for sharing documents that contain text, images, and other elements.
However, finding the PDF files you need on the Internet can be a challenge, especially if you don’t know how to use Google’s advanced search features.
Moreover, in this section, we will show you how to search PDF files on Google using different methods and tips.
Follow below mentioned instructions to search your favorite PDF copy on Google:
Use filetype:
Have you ever wished you could easily find all the PDF files on a given topic? Well, consequently, Google has you covered.
All you need to do is start your search term with “file type:pdf” followed by the topic you are interested in. Alternatively, you can also use the advanced search dialog box to select the file type as PDF and enter your keywords.
For example, let’s say you want to learn more about SEO audits. Specifically, you can search for “file type: pdf seo audit” andGoogle search engine will search all the relevant PDF files just for you.
You can also use the “intitle:” operator to find PDF files that contain a specific word or phrase in their file name. For example, intitle:“climate change” filetype:pdf will show you PDF files with “climate change” in their file name.
However, in addition, don’t stop there: get even more specific by adding additional keywords like “file type:pdf seo audit technical example.” This helps ensure that you find a PDF filename or topic with examples and technical details about SEO audits.
And the best part? This file type magic trick works for more than just PDF files. You can search for different types of files, such as Word documents, Excel sheets, PowerPoint presentations, and plain text files, by using the appropriate extension after the file type operator.
So the next time you need to locate the perfect file for school, work, or personal projects, remember this little search trick.
Simply start with “file type:” followed by the topic terms and the extension of the non-HTML files you want to find, such as PDF, DOC, or PPT. As a result, Google will seamlessly guide you through all the related non-HTML files possibilities until you find the right one.
Use (-) sign and “” with filetype:pdf
In the above section we discussed that you can easily search only for PDF files on Google.
Furthermore, but did you know that you have even more filter options at your fingertips?
Additionally, Google allows you to combine different search “operators” to really narrow down your PDF content search. You can also specify your favorite file format, such as PDF, DOC, or PPT, by using the “filetype:” operator.
For example, if local SEO isn’t your thing, use “file type:pdf seo audit -local” to filter out any files that mention local strategies.
Similarly, or what if a specific file just doesn’t do it for you? Excludes complete sentences with “-“.
Consequently, the possibilities are endless when you start mixing and matching these powerful operators.
Not only will it actively guide your search results, but Google will seamlessly transition between options to give you exactly what you need.
Also Check: Exclude words from Google search using search operators
Search PDF in specific domain
Now you have the basics to perform search for PDF or download any eBooks on Google like an expert. Furthermore, but did you know you can enhance your PDF search skills even further?
Additionally, sometimes the best files are hidden in plain sight on specific sites. For example, let’s say you know that Moz has a gold mine of SEO-related PDF goodness.
Instead of sifting through all of Google, focus your search on “file type:pdf site:moz.com.”
Similarly, don’t you find what you need? Add keywords like “-audit” to filter out unwanted files. As a result, Google will seamlessly guide you to the right Moz PDF selections.
Consequently, the possibilities are endless when targeting searches this way specifically. Therefore, Google makes it easy to actively access the best PDF sources.
Exclude search from specific domains
Google allows you to exclude domains entirely from your file type searches. For example, let’s say I wrote an epic SEO audit example in the search box but I want options beyond my site.
Specifically, I would search for “file type: pdf SEO audit example -site: wsimg.com” to eliminate any bias towards my own work. Consequently, Google will safely ignore my domain and focus elsewhere.
Moreover, you can even block multiple sites at once. Similarly, maybe you don’t need wsimg.com, daily strategy.com cluttering up my carefully curated results either.
Just chain them like ” -site:wsimg.com -site:daylightstrategy.com”.
Therefore, now Google has no choice but to dig deeper for less obvious PDF selections. As a result, you actively guide your search while maintaining complete control.
Furthermore, it’s a great way to avoid familiar favorites and discover new hidden gems.
Look for indexed PDF files of content
Do you have a phrase from your writing, famous phrases or phrases from any famous book or document that you think is really good? Furthermore, you can see if others copied your words or used similar lines of content by searching for an exact match phrase.
- First, choose a sentence from writing. Like “There is some good in this world, and it’s worth fighting for.” This line belongs from J.R.R. Tolkien, The Two Towers.
- Next, put the entire phrases in quotes. To show only PDF files, enter filetype:pdf after your search query.
- Add Like this: Like “There is some good in this world, and it’s worth fighting for.” -domain.com file type:pdf
- Google will search for that exact phrase in PDF files from other websites.
Similarly, by following the steps mentioned above, you can also check if anyone is copying your phrase or content and creating duplicate content.
Also Check: How to make Hanging Indent in Google Docs ?
Conclusion
In this article, we show you how to search PDF files on Google using different advanced search commands. Specifically, you can use the file type operator to specify the format of the files you want to search for.
Similarly, you can use the minus sign to exclude unwanted words or phrases from your search. Furthermore, you can use quotes to find exact matches for your keywords.
These are some of the advanced search options that Google offers to help you refine your search results.
And you can use the site operator or search parameters to limit your search to a specific domain or website. In addition, you can also use the quotation marks to search for an exact phrase within the PDF files. This will help you get more specific and relevant results for your PDF search.
Google Search is a powerful tool that can help you find PDF eBooks or any kinds of files on any topic, domain, or format.
Frequently Asked Question’s (FAQ’s)
The shortcut to search in Chrome PDF is CTRL + F12. This will open the search bar to search the current page for any word or phrase you enter. You can also use CTRL + G to jump to the next match or CTRL + SHIFT + G to jump to the previous match.
However, you cannot search a PDF document if it is scanned, compressed, encrypted, or does not have a text layer or Unicode tables. Consequently, You must use special software or tools to convert, decompress, decrypt, add text layers, or repair Unicode tables. You can use Adobe Acrobat or other online tools to do this.
Google can read PDF files as long as they are not password protected or encrypted. It can index the textual content and images of PDF files using OCR algorithms. Google can also follow links and pass PageRank and other signals from PDF files.
