Here is a link to an old forum thread to prove that this function existed at one point in time.

In fact here's Opera's Instant Search Video from 2018 with comments showing how badly people need this feature back.

The best Opera Team can do is explain why the feature is gone, and how to substitute for it without opening a new tab every time.

I cannot wrap my head around why Opera is pushing the "Search Tabs" function this much instead of recreating or bringing back their seamless Google search function that didn't require opening a new tab. Just today I see the magnifying glass appear as part of a new update. But instead of it being the return of the pop-up Google search function, all it does is search your tabs. But My tabs are visible at the top of my screen at all times, so what is the point?? Why would I type text of a tab when I can just click it right there at the top of the screen? Not everyone is a messy user with 20+ tabs open!

Meanwhile, Opera used to have a function where I could press Ctrl+Space, and it would bring up this floating Google bar. This was phenomenally convenient as I wouldn't have to open up a new tab every single time I needed something Googled. The Ctrl+Space hotkey was then replaced with the search tabs function. It looked nice, but it was useless to me. I assumed I could revert it back to something useful somewhere in the settings, but then I found out it was quietly removed for unexplained reasons.

I've felt this burn since late 2019 but I stayed silent because I didn't think they'd be silly enough to never revive such a seamless workflow-improving feature that no other browser had. But it's 2023 now, and it's still not back after sending more than one feedback/request post over the years, so now I just need closure from Opera Team:

Why was the Ctrl+Space=QuickGoogle function removed and replace with the search tabs function that isn't useful for everyone? What happened? Is there ANY way to change it back so I can restore my seamless Opera experience? Perhaps a section in the settings I may have overlooked? You'd think there would be a sidebar extension in the Opera Addons store that brings it back, but I checked, and there isn't anything there. Only Reverse Image Searchers. What's going on? I've been patient on this for 3 years but why does it feel like I'm the only one this disappointed about the loss of such a powerful feature and lack of explanation?

The only option I request is the option to toggle Instant Search back on for those that find it useful. Thank you.

@harshxeron
Wow, Thank you, kind stranger, I didn’t know you could find and edit the video, you just opened a world of possibilities for me.

I wish it wouldn't go black for a second. It can get kind of disorienting on the Speed Dial page. Otherwise, it's clever.

Hard to believe I'm the only user comment on this page.

This is the most generically energetic Wallpaper on this Website. My colleagues can't help but to stare at my computer whenever I leave it on Speed Dial. Been using Opera since 2006 alongside Chrome when she came around, and this wallpaper single-handedly influenced my decision to leave Chrome and go Full-on Opera. i NEED more generically cool and abstract wallpapers like this.