Why is Google the default search engine for Firefox?
How to get rid of Google as the search engine and put in Firefox? - Google Search Community
How to make Google the default search engine
Is it really that bad to use google search on FF?
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If Firefox is supposed to be the browser devoted to users' privacy, why do they select Google as the default search engine for new installations of Firefox? I mean, it's easy to change, but Google is arguably the worst company out there when it comes to users' data.
(Rant over. I still love Firefox. Really, I do. It's just that as much as I love Firefox, I hate Google)
Got the same problem.
Alternative way for custom search
For an example Google string: https://www.google.com/search?q=%s
Here is a workaround with the plugin: add-custom-search-engine
And here we go:
you have google in the about:preferences#search
The key reason why the option to "Add" the search engine is not available to you from https://www.linuxmint.com/searchengines/anse.php?sen=Google&c=y is because https://www.linuxmint.com/searchengines/google.xml is using a name that either A) already exists in your about:preferences#search or B) is the name of one of the Firefox Default Search Engines - even if you already removed that default search engine.
The reason the other answer works is because the name ("google") differs (in case) from "Google".
Also, search suggestions aren't enabled by default, but can be within the Add custom search engine add-on's advanced section using the value http://suggestqueries.google.com/complete/search?output=firefox&q={searchTerms}
The method to do this has changed - this answer is how to do it in 2018. Read further down to see more recent answers
Add keywords to the address bar:
For example, you can set up your browser to search for bread at stackoverflow.com by simply typing so bread into the omnibar.
Do this by right-clicking on the search bar on the website you commonly search. You can do this for the Search field on any website.
Specifically:
- Go to the site you want to use to search
- Right-Click on the search box you fill out on their page (not Firefox's)
- Select "Add a keyword"
- Enter the keyword to use when you want to search in that site (eg: "so")
Actual answer:
@Kleinfrund's answer is valid but Firefox doesn't always recognize sites that support search. If the website doesn't show up using @Kleinfrund's method, continue reading.
Go to Firefox Settings → Search. Or enter this in the address bar:
about:preferences#searchIn the "Search Shortcuts" section you should notice a new "Add" button.
Press the "Add" button and fill in the name, search engine url and a keyword (optional). The engine url should contain a
%sin the url; Firefox replaces the%swith your search terms. An example of this is:https://www.google.com/search?q=%s
NOTE: For POST request configuration, press "Advanced" in the lower left corner of the pop-up.
Go to the "Default Search Engine" section and select the engine you've just added.
If you're using firefox v139.x and below (ty @Fabian):
- Open a new tab and type this in the address bar:
about:config- In the search box type:
browser.urlbar.update2.engineAliasRefresh- Click on the little
+symbol on the right. This is what it should look like after you pressed it:
- Step 1-5
NOTE: POST requests are not supported for version 139.x and below. See bugzilla
I've recently started to use Firefox but I use Google-related software so I'm often at the Google Search page. I tried going into "Settings" then to "Search" and only DuckDuckGo is available.
Is there not a way to use Google search via URL bar in Firefox?