How often do you search the web? As per my current profession I use it thrice a times in an hour.
So there is an urgent need to make my search via browser friendly and I googled up and now I found something good, optimizing my browser for search was the first thing I did when installing it.
Let’s have a look at ways to make yur FireFox search-friendly:
1. Take advantage of FireFox search plugins
You can search the huge directory of search plugins or create your own (and that’s where your own imagination is your only limit). Let’s take a quick look at how you can create your own search plugin for any search engine or site you refer to daily:
- search the site you are creating the plugin for;
- copy the query string;
- change your search term in the query string for {searchTerms};
- go to mycroft.mozdev.org and complete the form as shown below;
- test (install and perform a few searches) your plugin before submitting;
- click “generate” and you are done!
As you understand you can include any search parameters, use advanced search or play to your heart’s content to create the search that fully satisfies your needs.
2. Use The CyberSearch FireFox plugin (download it here).
Another way to search from the address bar. It supports multiple Google services and also displays your related search history (again, it’s limited to Google only):
To access different Google services, use these commands before the search query:
- gweb – Google general search;
- gloc – Google local search;
- gvid – Google video search;
- gblog – Google blog search;
- gnews – Google news search;
- gbook – Google book search;
- gimg – Google image search;
- gpat – Google patent search.
3. Use Search Bookmarklets
Use search bookmarklets to access your preferred search engine by selecting any term on a page:
or to easily switch between search engines:
- Google – perform Google search;
- Yahoo – try Yahoo search;
- Exalead – search on Exalead.
4. Search Highlighted Words With Multiple Engines
Search the highlighted word using multiple search engines: KallOut
Kallout is a new awesome desktop application that allows you to search for any highlighted term (integrates with FireFox, Outlook, txt files, etc). With it you can choose between multiple verticals (general search, shopping portals, reference resources, etc) and search engines (Google, Yahoo, Live, Twitter, etc).
5. Tweak your FireFox about:config settings.
Yet another way to search from the address bar. (tip by FireFox facts).
- type into your address bar about:config;
- filter keyword.URL;
- modify the string in there and replace it with your preferred engine search string, e.g. http://www.google.com/search?btnG=Google+Search&q=
6. Use FireFox “smart keywords” feature
(it allows you to search right from the address bar).
To create a FireFox smart keyword you need to:
- Search any site / search engine you are interested in [keyword];
- Copy the URL of the query string;
- Substitute keyword in the query string for %s;
- Go: Bookmarks > Organize Bookmarks => New Bookmark;
- Create new search bookmark the following way:
Alternatively, you can go to YubNub, install its search plugin and either use multiple quick searches already created there or create your own ones using a simple wizard.
7. Install the Google Toolbar
The most obvious way to access Google search.
Besides allowing you to access Google search instantly, it also has a number of other handy features:
- search suggestions (based on your search history and/or popular queries);
- search multiple verticals (image search, news search, blog search, etc);
- search term highlight;
- spell check, etc.
Its major drawback is that it only allows you to search Google (and there are other search engines and sites you might want to search).
