Full List of Working Google Search Query Parameters & Operators

If you’re in digital marketing, SEO, or data analytics, you’ve may seen those long Google search URLs filled with strange bits like hl=en, gl=au, or tbs=qdr:w. These aren’t just random codes—they’re query parameters. And if you know how to use them, you can take Google Search from good to insanely powerful.

Whether you’re running technical SEO audits, simulating SERPs across locations, or tracking campaign performance in granular detail, understanding these parameters will give you a serious edge. Think of them like cheat codes for the web’s most powerful engine.

How A Structured Query Operator URL appears:

Build custom search URLs like this:

https://www.google.com/search?q=solar+batteries&gl=au&lr=lang_en&as_sitesearch=gov.au&num=50&tbs=qdr:y

This would search for solar batteries on .gov.au sites, in English, showing up to 50 results from the past year—all from an Australian location.

How to Use Google Search Query Parameters

The Basic Format

When you type a search into Google, the URL might look like this:

https://www.google.com/search?q=climate+change

This base URL includes:

• https://www.google.com/search → The search endpoint
• ?q=climate+change → The first query parameter (starts with a ?)

Every parameter after that is joined with an ampersand (&), like so:

https://www.google.com/search?q=climate+change&hl=en&gl=AU&pws=0

Each parameter follows this syntax:

sqlCopyEdit&parameter=value

• ? starts the first parameter
• & joins additional parameters
• = assigns a value to the parameter

Example

https://www.google.com/search?q=solar+panels&hl=en&gl=AU&num=50&tbs=qdr:m

This operator query example means:

• Search for: “solar panels”
• Show results in English UI (hl=en)
• Prioritise Australian content (gl=AU)
• Display 50 results per page (num=50)
• Filter to the past month (tbs=qdr:m)

Full list of Google Query parameters & there KNOWN functions

Query parameters are instructions added to the end of a Google Search URL. Each one modifies the behaviour of the results—whether it’s changing the region, disabling personalisation, filtering by file type, or changing the search vertical (like images, news or shopping).

Here’s an HTML table of known and useful parameters that are safe to use in practice. These are supported by Google and confirmed via testing or documentation.

Our Favourite Use Cases (18) for Google Search Query Parameters

1. Localisation Testing: gl=au shows results as if you’re in Australia. Combine with hl=en for interface language.
2. Language Filtering: Use lr=lang_fr to filter results to French-language content.
3. Date Filtering: tbs=qdr:m3 limits results to the last 3 months. Useful for trend tracking.
4. Exact Phrase Matching: as_epq=“climate risk insurance” finds precise phrase matches without quotes.
5. Site-Restricted Search: as_sitesearch=linkedin.com scopes your search to a specific domain.
6. Non-Personalised Results: Add pws=0 to remove influence of past search behaviour or history.
7. Deep SERP Crawling: Use start=50&num=50 to view past the first few pages of search results.
8. Vertical Switching: Use tbm=vid (videos), tbm=nws (news), tbm=isch (images).
9. Enable Debug Mode: deb=1 shows internal debug overlays in some Google tests (advanced use only).
10. Force HTML View: gbv=1 loads Google Search in basic HTML mode for speed or scraping.
11. Disable SafeSearch: safe=off turns off adult content filtering for uncensored audits.
12. Test Campaign Attribution: Add utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=cpc to verify tracking in GA4.
13. Track Click Position: cd=3 tells you which SERP position was clicked—useful for behavioural testing.
14. Client-Specific Reporting: Combine as_sitesearch with as_qdr=y to track fresh content per domain.
15. Test SERP Modes: Use udm=12 for news, udm=50 for AI Overviews, or udm=28 for shopping.
16. Control Encoding: Use ie=UTF-8 and oe=UTF-8 to standardise character input/output across markets.
17. Click Location Tracking: Use ct=1 (or other numbers) to trace which result section got clicked.
18. Precise Geo-Targeting: uule= lets you encode suburb or coordinate-level location targeting (advanced).

Final Thoughts:

Google query parameters are more than just URL fluff—they’re tactical levers. For consultants, content strategists, performance marketers, and data analysts, they offer unmatched precision when investigating search behaviour, testing ads, or running content diagnostics. Learn them once, and you’ll find dozens of smart ways to apply them daily.

Have a favourite combo or use case? Drop it in the comments. Or if you’d like this turned into a downloadable cheatsheet or Google Sheet, just let me know!