Our look is the result of reader comments, our own experimentation, and feedback from distribution channels. Distinctive covers complement our distinctive approach to technical topics, breathing personality and life into potentially dry subjects. The tool on the cover of Google Hacks, Second Edition, is a pair of locking pliers. Locking pliers are very versatile tools. They can be used for turning, twisting, cutting wire, tightening screws and bolts, and clamping. Locking pliers are specially designed to put pressure on a bolt or nut in such a way that the user can approach the nut or bolt from any angle. A simple squeeze can put up to a ton of pressure between the pliers' jaws, enabling them to lock onto even oddly shaped pieces. Locking pliers include a guarded release, which prevents accidental release or pinching, and a trigger, which unlocks the pliers. Adam Witwer was the production editor and copyeditor for Google Hacks, Second Edition. Leanne Soylemez was the proofreader. Mary Brady and Claire Cloutier provided quality control. Reg Aubry wrote the index.

Edie Freedman designed the cover of this book. The cover image is an original photograph by Edie Freedman. Clay Fernald produced the cover layout with QuarkXPress 4.1 using Adobe's Helvetica Neue and ITC Garamond fonts.

Melanie Wang designed the interior layout based on a template by David Futato. This book was converted by Julie Hawks to FrameMaker 5.5.6 with a format conversion tool created by Erik Ray, Jason McIntosh, Neil Walls, and Mike Sierra that uses Perl and XML technologies. The text font is Linotype Birka; the heading font is Adobe Helvetica Neue Condensed; and the code font is LucasFont's TheSans Mono Condensed. The illustrations that appear in the book were produced by Robert Romano and Jessamyn Read using Macromedia FreeHand MX and Adobe Photoshop CS. This colophon was written by Linley Dolby.