Add custom search engines in Firefox

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  • Creator: Michele Rodaro
  • Comment: Links and minor edits
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  • Reviewed by: ffloare
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Firefox version 140 lets you add custom search engines in a few different ways: from supported websites, in your Firefox settings, or by entering a custom URL using %s as a placeholder.

With this capability, Firefox gives you the freedom to customize your searching experience with the tools that work best for you. For example, you can build a specific search engine with a website you frequently visit (think YouTube or IMDB).

In this article, you'll learn how to create a custom search engine in Firefox to make the searching experience faster and easier.

Add a custom search engine from a supported website

A supported website is any website that Firefox recognizes as a searchable source. Such websites must include either an OpenSearch description file or a tag in their code that points to a search engine.

Tip: Right-click the search bar to check if a site is supported.
  1. Right-click the search field.
  2. Select Add Search Engine.
    addsearchengine
  3. Add the custom engine in the Search engine name, add a keyword (it’s optional), and click on Add Engine.
    searchengine

Add a custom search engine in Settings

You can add custom search engines from websites in Firefox, even if they’re not supported.

  1. Go to the main menu IG main menu, and click on Settings.
  2. Go to Search.
  3. Scroll down to Search Shortcuts.
  4. Click on Add.
    searchshortcut
  5. Fill in the Search engine name with a name for your custom search engine.
  6. In the URL box, copy & paste the URL of the custom search engine.
  7. Replace the URL’s search tag with %'s.
  8. Add a keyword (this is optional).
  9. Click on Add Engine to save.
    searchenginemenu
Note: You can find the URL’s search tag by performing a unique search with an easy-to-spot word, such as “ZZZZZZ”. The “ZZZZZZ” in the URL is that URL’s search tag.

FAQ

Q: Why does the URL need to contain %s?

A:%s is a placeholder that Firefox replaces with your search query. For example, if you type firefox settings, the browser will go to https://developer.mozilla.com/search?q=firefox+settings.

Q: What’s the purpose of the keyword?

A:A keyword is a shortcut you type in the address bar to trigger that custom search engine. For example: google privacy tools → searches Google instead of your default engine. The keyword is optional, and it is not required for the custom search engine to work.

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