I know it’s been getting worse over time, but I could still find what I needed after some digging.

Recently it’s been like 10 minutes of adjusting search terms, still getting completely useless or irrelevant results, and me just giving up afterwards. Other search engines seem just as bad.

  • Zier@fedia.io
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    2 months ago

    If you use Firefox you can add a Search Engine that removes the google cruft.

    In about:config browser.urlbar.update2.engineAliasRefresh Boolean, hit the plus sign to add. Exit out of that screen. Then go to Search engines in Settings and “Add” [ whatever name you want to call it ] as a new search engine. And paste this URL and save it. https://www.google.com/search?q=%s&udm=14

    You will see that it deletes everything but search when you use it. You can also just use the url but you must replace the %s with your search term, like red+espresso. Example: https://www.google.com/search?q=red+espresso&udm=14

    I’m sure this works for other browsers, I just use Firefox.

      • projectmoon@lemm.ee
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        2 months ago

        Returns the add custom search engine button. Which for some reason, has been hidden by default.

        • Shortstack@reddthat.com
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          2 months ago

          Oh my god, thank you for this. You solved a year long sufferfest for this internet stranger because of that greyed out button. Every god-damned guide online points you towards that button and I could not find the solution for it. What the fuck Mozilla

          • projectmoon@lemm.ee
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            2 months ago

            You can right click the URL bar for sites that support the OpenSearch XML standard. Which I guess is what they wanted to replace it with. But I don’t really know why they removed the button to a about: config setting. Could at least be a checkbox or something to enable.

    • Andonyx@lemmy.world
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      2 months ago

      I have tried many times to do exactly what you said, and I still am not getting the option to add a custom search engine.

      Any advice you have is appreciated.

      • Zier@fedia.io
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        2 months ago

        This is correct (your screen). Now go to your Firefox Settings, click on Search on the left side, scroll down to the Search Shortcuts section and below that box is a button labeled Add. You will get a box to add a search engine, the Alias field is optional. Make sure after you add it, there is a blue check in front of it on the list in the box or it’s invisible.