Google’s “Browse By Name” in Firefox
Google recently introduced a mode called "Browse By Name", a cross between "I'm Feeling Lucky" and a normal Google search. "Browse By Name" acts like "I'm Feeling Lucky" if Google is certain that the first hit is correct, but otherwise returns a normal set of search results. If you use Internet Explorer with the Google Toolbar, "Browse By Name" is the default behavior for non-URLs typed into the address bar. The Google Toolbar shows a dialog the first time you use the feature.
By default, Firefox uses "I'm Feeling Lucky" for non-URLs typed into its address bar. You can change the behavior by going to about:config and setting keyword.URL to the appropriate URL and then restarting Firefox.
| Address bar behavior | keyword.URL |
|---|---|
| I'm Feeling Lucky | http://www.google.com/search?ie=UTF-8&btnI=&q= |
| Browse By Name | http://www.google.com/search?ie=UTF-8&sourceid=navclient&gfns=1&q= |
| Google search | http://www.google.com/search?ie=UTF-8&q= |
September 10th, 2004 at 2:59 pm
After testing I think Browse By Name would make a better default behaviour than I Feel Lucky for terms typed into the address field. It’s especially good for those of us who are spelling impaired – instead of taking you to the first site for the miss-spelled search term you get a google offered correction of “did you mean…?”
September 11th, 2004 at 12:07 am
Just wanted to say thank you to you Jesse for finding out this URL. I asked on Usenet, but alas no-one knew! You can see my effort to find a solution at http://tinyurl.com/57pvg
September 11th, 2004 at 1:22 am
Gids filed http://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=258838 for making Firefox’s default be “Browse By Name”.
September 15th, 2004 at 12:09 am
user_pref(“keyword.URL”, “http://www.google.com/search?ie=UTF-8&sourceid=navclient&gfns=1&q=“);
Or you can put that in your user.js :D
September 16th, 2004 at 7:49 am
When typing “digital cameras” it goes to a website. It does not do a Google search for me. Is this a Firefox thing? Do I need the Google Toolbar?
September 9th, 2004 at 5:55 am
Google’s “Browse By Name” in Firefox
Just read this:
Jesse Ruderman: Google’s “Browse By Name” in Firefox
September 9th, 2004 at 6:48 am
Google’s ‘Browse’ in Firefox
http://www.squarefree.com/archives/000570.html
September 10th, 2004 at 10:56 am
Browse By Name in Firefox
A new Google toolbar feature for IE allows you to enter keywords in the address bar. Jesse Ruderman has posted instructions on how to get “Browse By Name” in Firefox. Related Googlebar extension Keyword Searching…
September 29th, 2004 at 12:41 pm
Firefox’s “Browse By Name”
For those of you who use Firefox, you probably know that when you enter a search term in the address bar, Firefox then goes out to Google and searches for it for you. Now, by default, Firefox will take you…