Google Chrome Keyword Shortcuts

I do like Google Chrome and that it has merged the functionality of a browsers address box with the default search engine box, calling it the omnibox. Occasionally it parses my search query into a URL, so I have added what Chrome calls a Search Engine, but what is more commonly called a keyword shortcut. You can add any keyword shortcut that you want to the omnibox. To ensure a query in the omnibox is parsed as a query and not a URL I created the gs (google search) shortcut. On the Google Chrome preferences page select the Manage Search Engine button. You should see something like the image below.

To add the gs keyword click on the Add a new search engine box, and give the search a name, like web, click on the Keyword box and enter a your keyword for a Google search, I used gs. Finally click on the URL with %s in place of query box and enter the URL  https://encrypted.google.com/search?q=%s then hit return. As you hover the mouse over these entries a light blue color  Make Default box will appear, click it to set this as your default search engine if you want.


I have about ten keyword shortcuts I use in Google Chrome, but the one I use most often is the I'm Feeling Lucky shortcut. I call it the goto shortcut; the URL for the shortcut is https://encrypted.google.com/search?q=%s&btnI=Im+Feeling+Lucky and I use the semicolon character ; for its keyword since it is quick to type.
The list below gives the use and URL for some of my other shortcuts:

• definitions - https://encrypted.google.com/search?tbs=dfn%3A1&q=%s
• recipes - https://encrypted.google.com/search?tbs=rcp%3A1&q=%s
• gmail - https://mail.google.com/mail/#apps/%s
• images - https://encrypted.google.com/search?tbm=isch&q=%s

Unfortunately the Google Chrome Sync feature does not sync the Search Engines, so you will need to add to each computer you use Chrome on.