Is it still possible to search with different search engines in the search bar and the address bar?
I used to use Firefox's address bar search to search for things on Google and the search bar to search for things on Wikipedia. The convenience of this, especially with the Ctrl+L and Ctrl+K shortcuts was amazing and I don't understand why this feature would be removed so I'm assuming it has simply been hidden without about:config somewhere. How can I go about reverting Firefox to it's previous functionality?
Note: I am using the Nightly build of Firefox for 64 bit systems, if this question should be directed specifically at that development branch please direct to where I can do so.
Chosen solution
Starting with Firefox 23, the address bar uses the search engine selected in your search bar.
Assign keywords to your search engines, then prefix them to your query to search from the address bar, e.g.
g gingerbread recipes
would search Google for gingerbread recipes.
For details, see the "Keywords" section of the following article.
If you absolutely can't stand having to type an additional two characters, then you can try the following extension. It hasn't been reviewed by a Firefox Add-ons site editor, so use it at your own risk.
Read this answer in context 👍 2All Replies (11)
Chosen Solution
Starting with Firefox 23, the address bar uses the search engine selected in your search bar.
Assign keywords to your search engines, then prefix them to your query to search from the address bar, e.g.
g gingerbread recipes
would search Google for gingerbread recipes.
For details, see the "Keywords" section of the following article.
If you absolutely can't stand having to type an additional two characters, then you can try the following extension. It hasn't been reviewed by a Firefox Add-ons site editor, so use it at your own risk.
Thank you for the quick reply; I'll have to check out that add-on.
In your case no it is not possible AFAIK
This changed with Firefox 23 . You are apparently using the Nightly, currently fx25.
- A related thread is Can I change search engine when typing in address bar? /questions/950758
- If you wish to comment / complain please use https://input.mozilla.org/en-US/feedback
- Or maybe you may find a developer forum or mailing list that considers the subject on topic http://www.mozilla.org/about/forums/#general-development
It is one of those changes that is done with good intentions and to fit in with future changes, and very importantly to fix an important issue, but I myself do not particularly like the change. It is inconvenient and irritating. However I do not have problems with search hijack and installing bundled software whereas probably the average user is likely to encounter and have problems resolving such issues.
Just a +1 basically. I've always used Wikipedia and Google search in the same manner as OP. Would love to see what was a great feature return in some future update!
See:
- Keyword Search: https://addons.mozilla.org/firefox/addon/keyword-search/
In short, Firefox developers disabled keyword.URL in about:config, on purpose for security reasons (unclear to me). You can re-enable it by using the plugin at https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/keyword-search/
(previously I mentioned the "hack" plugin at http://forums.mozillazine.org/viewtopic.php?p=12927143#p12927143, but the official plugin is a better option )
Modified by joshwhitkin
I get a 400 error on the dropbox, but who would want to use that when a reputable developer has already produced an add-on on the official add-on site, as mentioned above by cor-el.
Sweet! that's even better. Forget the dropbox thing (though it did work for me) - much better to use the official add-on.
I installed the Keyword Search addon and it fixes the address bar problem. But what about the "Mozilla Firefox Start Page" search engine? That still uses the quick search (ctrl+k) search engine. Extremely frustrating!
You can set the search engine for the about home page via the Options button of the Keyword Search extension on the about:addons page.
For some reason, the "about:home Search Engine" option in Keyword Search options doesn't work for me. It says Google there, but the about:home search engine is YouTube after I choose YouTube from the quick search pulldown menu.