Default Search Engine
-
skip717 last edited by
how can I change the default search engine to DuckDuckGo?
I can add it but cannot make it the default.
Am I doing something wrong?Any Help would be great
Thanks -
-
lem729 last edited by
It is my understanding that the reason Opera has limited the Opera default search engines to 5 is that there was a problem with malware adware, etc. hijacking searches to dangerous websites. You can add the Opera "Disconnect Search" extension to Opera 20. Set the Disconnect Search to use DuckDuckGo in its option and set it to use the main Opera Adress Bar, and Duckduckgo will essentially operate as your default search vehicle via the extension. If you do a google/yahoo/bing, etc. search to find information about the Disconnect Search extension, you will see that all of the searches that operate through the extension, including google, bing, yahoo, duckduckgo, etc. conceal your search so that it is very private.
Alternatively, you can go to the DuckDuckGo search website, and right click the search bar there, and add DuckDuckGo to Opera. Pay attention there to the inital(s) associated with the engine, or right click on the Opera Address Bar after you have added DDG un order to find the i initial(s). I think it's a "d", unless you set it otherwise. This same approach works with any other search engine (that is not one of the 5 Opera defaults) that you want to do a search from the main Opera address bar.
if you don't want to use the Disconnect Search Extension, as long as you added to Opera DDG as a search engine, you can enter your search in the main Opera address bar, but have to remember to type "d" [space] and then your search query. Or whatever other initial (s) you might have selected. If you forget to type the d (or the other initial(s) you might have set, the default Opera search engine will take over.
Finally, you can even add a separate DuckDuckGo search bar as an extension if you wish. For your searces -- one click-- on the DDG icon on the toolbar, and the search bar comes, so it shouldn't take up space.
You should be fine with DDG. I use it a lot with the Disconnect Search extension. Or with the alternate approach of Adding DDG to Opera as a non-default Search Engine, which is activated by typing the "d" [space] before your search query from the main address bar. Or even with a separate search bar. You have an abundance of choices.
Hope this has been of help to you.
-
Deleted User last edited by
It's really sad that you can't change your search engine on speed dial. I know that not everyone can respect Google search or Yandex for the Russians... but you can still use the omnibox.
-
lem729 last edited by
@sz-kursik
As per my note above, there are still many search options. What would have been sad would be if Opera, notwithstanding having security concerns about hijacked searches, had ignored them and let everyone use whatever default search engine they wanted. At least, that didn't happen.
-
-
Deleted User last edited by
Bumping!
I use the "y" key for Youtube since a milennia ago
But now Opera is hijacking it with that useless Yahoo search. Is there a way to change this? I'll try that extension right now, though again, it's a waste of RAM.
We users shouldn't be forced to add more letters to our search so Opera can make some quick bucks.
So the real question is: can I delete the default search engines? While Opera had agreements with SE before, they let us change it. Now it feels really intrusive.
-
-
l33t4opera last edited by@stahn: Hi, if you don't use default search engines, you can achieve it in few simple steps:
- Go to the Opera's installation root (you can find the path in O-Menu>About Opera>Paths>Install), then change to the ".../21.0.1432.57/resources" subdir,
- You should find there the "default_partner_content.json" file, rename it to e.g. "default_partner_content.jsox", then relaunch the Opera,
- Go to the address bar, press right mouse button, and click the "Edit search engines" (you should see, that only one default search engine left intact - Google), click the "Add new search", and add the YT as follows:
Name: youtube.com
Keyword: y
Address: http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=%s
Press the "Save" button, and then click on the "Done" button.
Instead of step 3, you can simply go to the http://youtube.com, and press right mouse button on the Youtube's search field, and then click the "Create search engine", then press the "Create" button.
-
A Former User last edited by
That sounds like a plan. Where can I find the default_partner_content.json file on os x?
-
l33t4opera last edited by
@luetage: If i remember it correctly (I can't check this right now on Mac), it should be in: /Opera.app/Contents/Versions/21.0.1432.67/Opera Framework.framework/Resources".
-
-
-
Deleted User last edited by
I've always suspected that the limited choices for default search engine was because opera had funding arrangements with just those you can choose between. Am I right?
Which leads me to another question. Obviously Google funding is important for Opera. However I do like to have other choices. Are we still supporting and ensuring the long term viability of Opera if we use the other pre installed search engines (Bing or Yahoo?)
-
lem729 last edited by
I've always suspected that the limited choices for default search engine was because opera had funding arrangements with just those you can choose between. Am I right?
Which leads me to another question. Obviously Google funding is important for Opera. However I do like to have other choices. Are we still supporting and ensuring the long term viability of Opera if we use the other pre installed search engines (Bing or Yahoo?)No, I don't think you are right. The limitation to five search engines is -- it is my understanding -- princiapally because of malware-adware problems and the enhanced risk of the hijacking of some of the other search engines with the user being taken to unsafe websites. Opera was trying to protect the user. I wouldn't worry about exercising your choices here and harming Opera. My guess is there was a financial arrangement that got the the Google search bar on the speed dial page, but Opera did provide for the user eliminating that search bar if they wanted to (although you have to go into Power User Mode to Accomplish that. It's not really hard to do).
Now I use the Disconnect Search extension (installed from the Opera website). It's my understanding that Opera reviews for safety and approves the extensions on their add-on website, so we must not be hurting Opera if we use extensions there :). In that Disconnect Search extension, I set DuckDuckGo as my primary search engine. That way, and by also selecting Main Address Bar in the extension, I get DuckDuckGo as my default search engine to operate out of the main Opera address bar/Omni-search bar, getting around the five limitation in Opera. I don't feel, at all, bad about it. Rather I feel I'm making the browser work for me, so that I'm happy with it. If I am, they I'm more likely to stay with Opera, and Opera will be happy
As to the search possibilities by adding engines, and using a code letter or letters, Opera set it up to work for you. So don't feel bad about it. Make the browser work best for you.
-
alreadybanned last edited by
You keep repeating this but the fact is, Opera DOES receive monetary compensation from the companies who's searches are included. The file that l33t4opera suggests altering is called "default_partner_content.json", emphasis on partner. Other search providers do not have a monetary partnership with Opera so read into that what you like.
The lack of choice is becoming common place as free software(note. nothing is free) is becoming more of an ad delivery platform, just like Android os, etc.. Opera was once a browser but it, like soon to be Mozilla who will have ads in their speed dails, are more focused on generating profit than creating user friendly software. Paid software will become a rare thing I'm afraid because a price tag is not as tempting as a never ending supply of ad revenue.
-
A Former User last edited by admin
Other search providers do not have a monetary partnership with Opera so read into that what you like.
There's ZERO EVIDENCE the contract between the search engines that partner with Opera says they'll be the only ones able to be set as default.
"The option to set a custom search engine as default was (temporarily) removed to combat malware overriding user settings and directing all searches to malicious third-party sites. Its an unfortunate situation." - Opera employee Daniel Aleksandersen.
