Source: Google Presentation: «Hello Operators»

An operator is a symbol that modifies the words or numbers around it.

In search, an operator changes your search query – often with drastic results!

These operators can help you tweak, refine, and narrow your search.

There are seven basic operators in Google Search.

• Minus symbol (-) excludes words from your search results.
  
• Plus symbol (+) makes sure the word it precedes is used exactly as you entered it.
  
• Tilde symbol (~) includes similar words in your search results.
  
• Boolean "or" (OR) includes one, the other, or both words in your search results.
  
• Dot-dot symbol (..) includes a range of numbers in your search results.
  
• Star or asterisk symbol (*) leaves space for a missing word in your search results.
  
• Double quotes (" ") include only the exact phrase – the exact words in the
  exact order you entered them – in your search results.
  
  

Can you think of particular examples when these search operators could help
you?

• Exclusion (-)
  
• Inclusion (+)
  
• Similar Words (~)
  
• Multiple Words (OR)
  
• Number Range (..)
  
• Fill-in-the-Blank (*)
  
• Exact Phrase (» «)
  
  

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