Firefox includes a selection of default search engines but also allows you to add any OpenSearch engines you prefer. This capability enables you to directly perform searches through Firefox, streamlining the use of your favorite search engines for a more convenient browsing experience.

• For details on changing your default search engine or other search settings, see Change your default search settings in Firefox.
• To learn about using search engine keywords, see Assign shortcuts to search engines.

Add search engines

Found a website with a super useful search engine? Firefox makes it easy to add it to your search toolkit. Just follow the steps below:

Add a search engine from the Search bar

Firefox offers an optional Search bar. See Add the Search bar to your Firefox toolbar to add it to Firefox.

1. Visit a website that offers an OpenSearch search engine (we'll use YouTube as an example).
2. Click the magnifying glass icon in the Search bar.
3. Click the YouTube icon in the Search bar drop-down.

   

The search engine will appear in your available search options.

Add a search engine from the address bar

When you visit a website that offers an OpenSearch search engine, you can add it from the address bar context menu (we'll use YouTube as an example).

1. Right-clickHold down the Control key while you click the address bar.
2. Select from the context menu.

   

Mycroft Project search engine plugins

The Mycroft Project website offers search engine plugins. When you click an available search plugin, you can add it to Firefox from the Search bar or from the address bar context menu, on the Install plugin page.

Search engine add-ons

Many providers offer search engine add-ons. To find these search engines and add them to Firefox:

1. In the Menu bar at the top of the screen, click Firefox and then select Preferences or Settings, depending on your macOS version.Click the menu button and select Settings.
2. In the Settings tab that opens, click Search in the left panel.
   Tip: If you added the optional Search bar, another way to open the Search panel is to click the magnifying glass on the Search bar and then click the Change search settings icon.
3. At the bottom of the Search panel, click the Find more search engines link. The Firefox Add-ons website will open.
4. Select the search engine add-on you want to install and click Add to Firefox.

Hide search engines

Follow these steps to remove alternative search engines you don't want to use.

1. In the Menu bar at the top of the screen, click Firefox and then select Preferences or Settings, depending on your macOS version.Click the menu button and select Settings.
2. In the Settings tab that opens, click Search in the left pane.
   Tip: If you added the optional Search bar, another way to open the Search panel is to click the magnifying glass on the Search bar and then click the Change search settings icon.
3. Under Search Shortcuts, remove the check mark next to each search engine you don't want to use.

   

Remove search engines

To remove a search engine, follow these steps:

1. In the Menu bar at the top of the screen, click Firefox and then select Preferences or Settings, depending on your macOS version.Click the menu button and select Settings.
2. In the Settings tab that opens, click Search in the left pane.
   Tip: If you added the optional Search bar, another way to open the Search panel is to click the magnifying glass on the Search bar and then click the Change search settings icon.
3. Under Search Shortcuts, click the search engine you want to remove.
4. Click the Remove button to take it off your list.

   

Adding back a removed search engine

If you delete a search engine that you've added manually and then decide you want it back, you must re-add it. This can be done either through the Search bar, the address bar by visiting the search engine's website, or by reinstalling the search engine add-on (refer to the instructions above).

If you remove any of the default search engines that are built into Firefox, you'll have to go to your Firefox Settings Search panel and click the Restore Default Search Engines button in the Search Shortcuts section to bring them back.