Join the AMA (Ask Me Anything) with the Firefox leadership team to celebrate Firefox 20th anniversary and discuss Firefox’s future on Mozilla Connect. Mark your calendar on Thursday, November 14, 18:00 - 20:00 UTC!

This site will have limited functionality while we undergo maintenance to improve your experience. If an article doesn't solve your issue and you want to ask a question, we have our support community waiting to help you at @FirefoxSupport on Twitter and/r/firefox on Reddit.

Avatar for Username

Search Support

Avoid support scams. We will never ask you to call or text a phone number or share personal information. Please report suspicious activity using the “Report Abuse” option.

Learn More

Le thread ibilondoloziwe. Nceda ubuze umbuzo omtsha ukuba ufuna uncedo.

How do I add custom search (by entering specific url) in FF 57?

  • 1 phendula
  • 1 inayo le ngxaki
  • 1 view
  • Impendulo yokugqibela ngu AndyScull

AndyScull
AndyScull
more options

Hi, I used to add my own search shortcuts in previous versions of FF by using customized xml files. In other browsers, there usually is an option to add search engine by entering custom URL string. In FF 57, I see only options to add search engine either from current site (which should advertise this search engine) or from limited online repository. XML files for search engines seems to be deprecated, I don't see them in FF or user profile folder. So, the question - is it still possible to add custom search engines by entering their URL? For example, adding google search with site filter : https://google.com/search?q=site:somesite.com+%s (I don't mean only this specific google search, rather I'm asking about function itself)

Hi, I used to add my own search shortcuts in previous versions of FF by using customized xml files. In other browsers, there usually is an option to add search engine by entering custom URL string. In FF 57, I see only options to add search engine either from current site (which should advertise this search engine) or from limited online repository. XML files for search engines seems to be deprecated, I don't see them in FF or user profile folder. So, the question - is it still possible to add custom search engines by entering their URL? For example, adding google search with site filter : https://google.com/search?q=site:somesite.com+%s (I don't mean only this specific google search, rather I'm asking about function itself)

All Replies (1)

AndyScull
AndyScull Umnini wombuzo
more options

Found a way.

0. close firefox

1. place search xml files into Firefox\distribution\searchplugins\common\

2. delete search cache in profile: search.json.mozlz4 (note - all previous search changes will be lost, it will be restored to default)

3. start firefox

At start it will read xml files inside \distribution\searchplugins\common\ and add them to list of search engines.