Software:Search plugin: Difference between revisions
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{{ | {{Short description|Configuration file that adds search engines to web browsers}} | ||
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A '''search plugin''' provides the ability to access a [[Search engine|search engine]] from a [[Software:Web browser|web browser]], without having to go to the engine's website first. | }} | ||
A '''search plugin''' provides the ability to access a [[Search engine|search engine]] from a [[Software:Web browser|web browser]], without having to go to the engine's [[Website|website]] first. | |||
Technically, a search plugin is a small [[Text file|text file]] that tells the browser what information to send to a search engine and how the results are to be retrieved. The ease with which search plugins can be created has led to archives where public contributions can be downloaded, and these can be important in software [[Personalization|personalization]]. | Technically, a search plugin is a small [[Text file|text file]] that tells the browser what information to send to a search engine and how the results are to be retrieved. The ease with which search plugins can be created has led to archives where public contributions can be downloaded, and these can be important in software [[Personalization|personalization]]. | ||
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With the introduction of Firefox 2.0 in 2006, search plugins started to offer search suggestions, where terms would appear as the user typed. These are laid out in a menu, and are predicted based on the most likely ending to a word that was midway through being typed. This uses [[Ajax (programming)|Ajax]] technology to query the remote website's database for most common search terms, and so differs from traditional browser [[Software:Autofill|autofill]], where the form would typically be completed based on information the user had entered previously. | With the introduction of Firefox 2.0 in 2006, search plugins started to offer search suggestions, where terms would appear as the user typed. These are laid out in a menu, and are predicted based on the most likely ending to a word that was midway through being typed. This uses [[Ajax (programming)|Ajax]] technology to query the remote website's database for most common search terms, and so differs from traditional browser [[Software:Autofill|autofill]], where the form would typically be completed based on information the user had entered previously. | ||
Most search engines now offer search plugins and these are often paired with download of related software. Among those offering search plugins are [ | Most search engines now offer search plugins and these are often paired with download of related software. Among those offering search plugins are [[Company:Amazon|Amazon]], [[Company:Google|Google]], [[Company:EBay|eBay]], [[Software:Google Maps|Google Maps]], and [[Company:Reddit|Reddit]], among others. There also exist [[Software:Browser extension|browser extensions]] that allow users to generate their own search plugins for websites that do not provide them.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Heddings |first1=Lowell |title=Add Search Forms to the Firefox Search Bar |url=https://www.howtogeek.com/764/add-search-forms-to-the-firefox-search-bar/ |website=How-To Geek |access-date=1 March 2026 |language=en |date=1 September 2007}}</ref> | ||
==Formats== | ==Formats== | ||
* | *OpenSearch is supported by both [[Software:Mozilla Firefox|Mozilla Firefox]] 2.0 and later, and [[Software:Internet Explorer|Internet Explorer]] 7.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Trapani |first1=Gina |title=Useful search plugins for Firefox and IE7 |url=https://lifehacker.com/useful-search-plugins-for-firefox-and-ie7-262602 |website=Lifehacker |access-date=1 March 2026 |language=en |date=23 May 2007}}</ref> | ||
*Most Gecko based browsers support search plugins using a SGML based format. | *Most Gecko based browsers support search plugins using a SGML based format. | ||
*[[Software:Opera (web browser)|Opera]] supports search plugins using its custom search.ini format. | *[[Software:Opera (web browser)|Opera]] supports search plugins using its custom search.ini format. | ||
==References== | |||
{{reflist}} | |||
{{DEFAULTSORT:Search Plugin}} | {{DEFAULTSORT:Search Plugin}} | ||
[[Category:Software add-ons]] | [[Category:Software add-ons]] | ||
[[Category:Web browsers]] | [[Category:Web browsers]] | ||
{{Sourceattribution|Search plugin}} | {{Sourceattribution|Search plugin}} | ||
Latest revision as of 11:34, 11 April 2026
Short description: Configuration file that adds search engines to web browsers
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A search plugin provides the ability to access a search engine from a web browser, without having to go to the engine's website first.
Technically, a search plugin is a small text file that tells the browser what information to send to a search engine and how the results are to be retrieved. The ease with which search plugins can be created has led to archives where public contributions can be downloaded, and these can be important in software personalization.
With the introduction of Firefox 2.0 in 2006, search plugins started to offer search suggestions, where terms would appear as the user typed. These are laid out in a menu, and are predicted based on the most likely ending to a word that was midway through being typed. This uses Ajax technology to query the remote website's database for most common search terms, and so differs from traditional browser autofill, where the form would typically be completed based on information the user had entered previously.
Most search engines now offer search plugins and these are often paired with download of related software. Among those offering search plugins are Amazon, Google, eBay, Google Maps, and Reddit, among others. There also exist browser extensions that allow users to generate their own search plugins for websites that do not provide them.[1]
Formats
- OpenSearch is supported by both Mozilla Firefox 2.0 and later, and Internet Explorer 7.[2]
- Most Gecko based browsers support search plugins using a SGML based format.
- Opera supports search plugins using its custom search.ini format.
References
- ↑ Heddings, Lowell (1 September 2007). "Add Search Forms to the Firefox Search Bar" (in en). https://www.howtogeek.com/764/add-search-forms-to-the-firefox-search-bar/.
- ↑ Trapani, Gina (23 May 2007). "Useful search plugins for Firefox and IE7" (in en). https://lifehacker.com/useful-search-plugins-for-firefox-and-ie7-262602.
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