Add custom search engines in Firefox

Revision Information
  • Revision id: 300164
  • Created:
  • Creator: AliceWyman
  • Comment: (Empty edit to last revision) Settings section matches steps to image; FAQ-> Frequently asked questions
  • Reviewed: No
  • Ready for localization: No
Revision Source
Revision Content

You can add new search engines in Firefox to give you the freedom to customize your search 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).

Starting in Firefox version 140, you can add custom search engines from the search field of supported websites, or in Firefox settings by entering a custom URL. This article explains how to do this.

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 and select Add Search Engine.
    addsearchengine
  2. Add a custom Search engine name and add a keyword (it’s optional).
    searchengine
  3. Click Add Engine.

Add a custom search engine in Settings

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

  1. Click the main menu IG main menu button, click Settings and select Search from the left panel.
    searchshortcut
  2. Go down to the Search Shortcuts section and click the Add button.
    • The Add Search Engine box will open.
  3. Under Search engine name, add a name for your custom search engine.
    searchenginemenu
  4. In the URL with %s box, copy & paste the URL of the custom search engine.
    • For example: https://example.com/
  5. Replace the URL’s search tag with %s.
    • For example: https://example.com/search?q=%s
  6. Add a keyword (this is optional).
  7. Click on Add Engine to save.
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.

Frequently asked questions

Why does the URL need to contain %s?

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

What’s the purpose of the keyword?

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.

Related articles