DISQUS

David Risley: How To Replace Your Wordpress Search With Google

  • Digerati · 12 months ago
    Thanks David, I did this for all of my sites, gettingpumped.com - userbytes.com - and of course seizethepage.com

    Thanks.
  • J.D. Meier · 12 months ago
    Really good step through.

    It doesn't look like you're using it on this blog yet. Is it something you plan to do?
  • Malaika Morris · 12 months ago
    This is great! Thanks for providing tips on things I can put into action to grow my blogs instead of just posts that make me say oh that's nice.
  • Susan · 12 months ago
    This is a great how to for newbies.
  • Sharron Field · 12 months ago
    Thanks so much David for that most useful tip, and the php.

    I've added it to kkomp.com .
  • David · 12 months ago
    J.D. Meier,
    I probably will do it here. PCMech.com is the place where I did do it, though.
  • Deca · 12 months ago
    Nice tips, I will give it try
  • Sharron Field · 12 months ago
    When I checked the operation of the new Google search I got a parse error:

    'Syntax error: Unexpected "/" in line 6'.

    Being a php novice I couldn't work out exactly what had gone wrong, so I temporarily removed the Google search bars from the blog pending further investigation. I appear to have copied everything exactly, and followed instructions to the letter...?
  • Armen Shirvanian · 12 months ago
    The great part about this is that it is the whole procedure, for the most part. Someone that wants to make the switch to using Google search on their own site will remember to bookmark this or search for it when they are planning to do it. It makes sense that Google would require AdSense setup before their services could be used.
  • Malaika Morris · 11 months ago
    Has anyone else figured out how to correct this error. It's similar to the one Sharron had above

    Parse error: syntax error, unexpected '/' in ... on line 4

    I keep changing things but can't get it to work.

    Thanks.
  • Sharron Field · 11 months ago
    In reply to Malaika Morris:

    This is rather weird; as your script is seemingly showing a syntax error on line 4, from what I read above, and mine is showing on line 6. As far as I can see there are no instances of "/" on lines 4 or 6; unless I'm reading it wrong. I take it we're both using the same script?

    I'm still a php ameteur at best; so I've shelved this project for now pending review on David's return. The search results page script is still on my server, but I've removed the search box scripts from the pages and sidebar where I'd inserted them for the time being as they're not working and returning the parse error.
  • Jon · 11 months ago
    An even better strategy is to use Google to search across a network of your sites if you have more than one... something I am working on at the moment.

    Jon
    http://2xStocks.com
    Doubling my money, one stock at a time
  • Kathleane · 11 months ago
    Jon, please let us know more about your plan to use Google to search across a network of sits. I'd love to do something like that for several of my sites.

    To those with parsing errors: I'm receiving the same error and have had to remove the Google search boxes until I get it figured out or a post here gives the solution. Anyone with any ideas? I'm willing to try various things and promise not to flame you if it doesn't work (:
  • Chinese Girl · 10 months ago
    I like the idea, but it seems quite hard to change the style of google search results page, while my theme has very nice layout of search results.
  • Vu Tong · 9 months ago
    Thank you so much for this alternative for integrating Google Search into Wordpress.

    So far it's working great on my blog.
  • carvlc · 7 months ago
    Hi David,

    Thank you for the tip. I agree with you, that many bloggers certainly are not aware of the fact, that they can use Google as their search engine.
  • Mike · 6 months ago
    For those with the parsing errors, if you just did a copy and paste on the code you need to manually edit the searchresults.php file with a text editor and change the 's in line's 4 and 6. If you need more help post your error.
  • Cathy · 5 months ago
    Hmmmm. I tried this, but not all of my pages appear to be indexed. I guess this won't work for me. Bummer :( Will doing this cause google to hit my site more and better index it? I look at network traffic and see a ton from google, yet still not all my pages are returning.
  • Abeon Tech · 5 months ago
    Very usefull tutorial. My adsense for search eCPM is always higher than adsense for content... This should boost my earning a little :-)
  • Kevin Baker · 5 months ago
    Hi David,

    I confess this had never even entered my head to do. But its a neat way to make sure that your visitors can search with the most powerful engine online.

    I am not myself a Fan of adsense though. I find adsense too low on the money earning tree to be of any serious use, unless you have a whole bunch of specialty blogs, then it adds up.

    Thanks for the tip
  • Vincent Adams · 5 months ago
    David thanks, you give some great information. I am about to start a new self hosted WP blog and I will definitely use a Google search box.
  • Boat Rod · 5 months ago
    Yeah, same here. I would add the search for visitor value but adsense in the past only served to diluted site sales. But a great tool for visitor value nonetheless