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{{NavWiki|help}}
[[File:bg3wiki_help.png|thumb|right|Illithid wisdom sent you here...]]
{{PageSeo
{{#seo:
| fulltitle = Searching for Baldur's Gate 3 Wiki
| image = bg3wiki_help.png
| image = bg3wiki_help.png
| description = A guide to help BG3 players search for relevant content on the Baldur's Gate 3 Wiki.
| description = A guide to help BG3 players search for relevant content on the Baldur's Gate 3 Wiki.
}}
}}
BG3wiki has a powerful built-in [[Special:Search|Search]] function that can easily find pages, images, categories, templates, and more.
Getting Google Search to play nice with a newer, non-commercial website like BG3Wiki is a difficult and time-consuming task. Frankly, it's a pain in the butt and it's a bit rigged.


[[File:multimedia_search.png|right|thumb|Use the Multimedia option to search for images]]
If you've ever tried searching for BG3 information on Google, you've probably noticed that bg3.wiki pages often don't even appear in the search results, despite containing content relevant to your search terms. This is due to the way Google handles Search Engine Optimization (SEO), a topic that is ''way'' outside the scope of this article to explain.


* By default, Search results will only include content pages.
'''In short:''' This article describes a simple way to find relevant information on BG3Wiki in the future, even if Google doesn't want to play nice. We'll keep doing what we can to work on the Google side of things. In the meantime, hopefully this information helps.
* Use the '''Multimedia''' option to search for images.
* Use the '''Everything''' option for a quick-and-dirty way to look through all possible results for your search term.
* Use the '''Advanced''' option to filter your search to specific [https://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Help:Namespaces namespaces], like Category or Template.
{{TOC|limit=3}}


== Identifying areas in need of help ==
== Search BG3Wiki Directly From Your Address Bar ==
* [[Special:WhatLinksHere/Template:UnderConstruction|Under Construction]]: Pages marked as under construction; check the page history and coordinate via the Discord server if a page is actively being worked on.
Here are browser-specific instructions on how to create a custom search keyword.
* [[:Category:Stubs|Stub pages]]: Incomplete pages, lacking key information.
* [[:Category:Priority pages|Priority pages]]: Stub pages considered a high priority for updating.
* [[:Category:Pages that need to be rewritten|Pages that need to be rewritten]]: Pages that do not follow BG3 Wiki's guidelines or pages that are missing key templates.
* [[BG3Wiki:Verification]]: Pages marked as having information that needs to be verified
* [[Special:WantedPages]]: A list of pages that are linked to by other pages, but have not yet been created themselves
* [[Special:AncientPages]]: Pages that have not been updated in a long time - check these for outdated information
* [[Special:LonelyPages]]: Pages that aren't linked to by any other pages - try to find other appropriate pages to add links to them
* [[Special:LongPages]]: Very long pages that ''might'' benefit from editing for brevity
* [[Special:ShortPages]]: Very short pages that ''might'' benefit from adding more information


See [[Special:SpecialPages]] for a full list of Special pages.
Essentially, this allows you to define a word of your choice that you can type in your address bar to focus your search directly on BG3Wiki.
== Other ways of searching BG3Wiki ==
=== Using your address bar ===
Here are browser-specific instructions on how to define a custom search keyword, which you can type in your address bar to focus your search directly on bg3.wiki.


[[File:Bg3wiki search gif.gif|thumb|right|Demonstration of using a search keyword to directly navigate to bg3.wiki]]
This should only take a couple minutes to set up, doesn't require you to install anything, and could save you hours of frustrating failed searches in the future (if you're addicted to BG3 like we are). Scroll to the section for your browser below.


For example, if you enter the example values described in the instructions below, typing <code>bg3wiki spells</code> in your browser's address bar and pressing '''Enter''' will immediately perform a search for 'spells' on bg3.wiki. If your search term matches an existing article name, you'll be taken directly to that article (in this case, [[Spells]]). Otherwise, you'll be taken to a page of search results on bg3.wiki.
=== Google Chrome ===
[[File:bg3wiki googlechrome search.png|right|thumb|Google Chrome's '''Add search engine''' box]]
See [https://support.google.com/chrome/answer/95426 this Google support page] for instructions on how to add a custom search engine to Chrome. (Section: '''Add, edit, or remove site search shortcuts''')


This only takes a couple minutes to set up, doesn't require you to install anything, and could save you hours of frustrating failed searches in the future - if you're addicted to BG3 like we are.
When you've reached the '''Add search engine''' box, enter the following details.
* '''Search engine:''' The name that will appear in your address bar when you type the Shortcut below.
** Ex: <code>BG3Wiki</code>
* '''Shortcut:''' The keyword you'll enter in your address bar to direct your search to BG3Wiki.
** Ex: <code>bg3wiki</code> or <code>bg3w</code> or <code>b3w</code><br />(this can be anything you'd like - just make sure it's a word or phrase you're unlikely to type when you're not trying to search for BG3Wiki info)
* '''URL with %s in place of query:''' This is how you'll direct your browser to BG3Wiki's search page when you type the Shortcut above. Copy and paste one of the following.
** <code>https://bg3.wiki/w/index.php?search=%s&title=Special%3ASearch&go=Go</code><br />(if you want to immediately navigate to an existing article when your search term matches an existing BG3Wiki article name)
** <code>https://bg3.wiki/w/index.php?search=%s&title=Special%3ASearch&fulltext=1</code><br />(if you'd rather ''always'' see a list of search results instead of navigating directly to existing articles)


Scroll to the section for your browser below.
Once you've added the search engine, simply type <code>&lt;your shortcut&gt; &lt;your search term&gt;</code> in your browser's address bar to search BG3Wiki.


=== Google chrome ===
For example, if you entered the same values as the example image to the right, typing <code>bg3wiki spells</code> in your browser's address bar and pressing Enter will immediately perform a search for 'spells' on BG3Wiki. If your search term matches an existing article name, you'll be taken directly to that article (in this case, [[Spells]]). Otherwise, you'll be taken to a page of search results on BG3Wiki related to your search term.
[[File:bg3wiki googlechrome search.png|right|thumb|(Step 3) Chrome's '''Add search engine''' box]]
# In the top right corner of Chrome, click {{SmallIcon|browser more vertical.png}} '''Customize and control Google Chrome''', then navigate to '''Settings''' &gt; '''Search engine''' &gt; '''Manage search engines and site search'''.
# Under the '''Site search''' heading, click the '''Add''' button.
# Enter the following details in the '''Add search engine''' box.
#* '''Search engine:''' The name that will appear in your address bar when you type the Shortcut below.
#** Ex: <code>BG3Wiki</code>
#* '''Shortcut:''' The keyword you'll enter in your address bar to trigger a bg3.wiki search.
#** Ex: <code>bg3wiki</code> or <code>bg3w</code> or <code>b3w</code><br />(this can be anything you'd like - just make sure it's a word or phrase you're unlikely to type when you're not trying to search for bg3.wiki info)
#* '''URL with %s in place of query:''' This is where your browser will search when you type the Shortcut above. Copy and paste one of the following.
#** <code>https://bg3.wiki/w/index.php?search=%s&title=Special%3ASearch&go=Go</code><br />(if you want to immediately navigate to an existing article when your search term matches an existing BG3Wiki article name)
#** <code>https://bg3.wiki/w/index.php?search=%s&title=Special%3ASearch&fulltext=1</code><br />(if you'd rather ''always'' see a list of search results instead of navigating directly to existing articles)
# When finished, click '''Add''' again to finish the process.


Once you've added the search engine, you can type <code>&lt;your shortcut&gt; &lt;your search term&gt;</code> (ex: <code>bg3wiki feats</code>) in your browser's address bar to directly navigate to bg3.wiki.
That's it!


=== {{color|#1190f5|Microsoft Edge}} ===
=== Microsoft Edge ===
[[File:bg3wiki microsoftedge search.png|right|thumb|(Step 3) Edge's '''Add search engine''' box]]
To be added.
# In the top right corner of Edge, click {{SmallIcon|browser more.png}} '''Settings and more''', then navigate to {{SmallIcon|browser gear.png}} '''Settings''' &gt; '''Privacy, search, and services''' &gt; scroll down and click '''Address bar and search'''.
# Within the '''Manage search engines''' view, click the '''Add''' button.
# Enter the following details in the '''Add search engine''' box.
#* '''Search engine:''' The name that will appear in your address bar when you type the Shortcut below.
#** Ex: <code>BG3Wiki</code>
#* '''Shortcut:''' The keyword you'll enter in your address bar to trigger a bg3.wiki search.
#** Ex: <code>bg3wiki</code> or <code>bg3w</code> or <code>b3w</code><br />(this can be anything you'd like - just make sure it's a word or phrase you're unlikely to type when you're not trying to search for bg3.wiki info)
#* '''URL with %s in place of query:''' This is where your browser will search when you type the Shortcut above. Copy and paste one of the following.
#** <code>https://bg3.wiki/w/index.php?search=%s&title=Special%3ASearch&go=Go</code><br />(if you want to immediately navigate to an existing article when your search term matches an existing BG3Wiki article name)
#** <code>https://bg3.wiki/w/index.php?search=%s&title=Special%3ASearch&fulltext=1</code><br />(if you'd rather ''always'' see a list of search results instead of navigating directly to existing articles)
# When finished, click '''Add''' again to finish the process.


Once you've added the search engine, you can type <code>&lt;your shortcut&gt; &lt;your search term&gt;</code> (ex: <code>bg3wiki armour</code>) in your browser's address bar to directly navigate to bg3.wiki.
=== Mozilla Firefox ===
To be added.


=== {{color|#ff831a|Mozilla Firefox}} ===
=== Opera ===
[[File:bg3wiki mozillafirefox addkeyword.png|right|thumb|250px|(Step 1) Right-clicking on the Search box]]
To be added.
[[File:bg3wiki mozillafirefox search.png|right|thumb|250px|(Step 2) Firefox's '''Add bookmark''' box]]
Unlike most browsers, Firefox requires you to attach your custom search keyword to a bookmark, but the process is largely the same.


# From any bg3.wiki page (including this one), right-click on the '''Search Baldur's Gate 3 Wiki''' box in the top right corner of the page and select '''Add a Keyword for this Search'''.
== Using Alternative Search Engines ==
# Enter the following details in the '''Add bookmark''' box that appears.
You might also want to try something other than Google Search. Endorsing any specific search engine is not really the point of this article, but other search engines have a better track record of showing relevant BG3Wiki articles for your search terms, instead of ads and content farms. Maybe try searching Google for 'alternatives to Google' if you're feeling adventurous? :)
#* '''Name:''' The name that will appear in your Firefox bookmarks.
#** Ex: <code>Search Baldur's Gate 3 Wiki</code>
#* '''Location:''' The location of this entry in your Firefox bookmarks. This can be wherever you'd like.
#* '''Keyword:''' The keyword you'll enter in your address bar to trigger a bg3.wiki search.
#** Ex: <code>bg3wiki</code> or <code>bg3w</code> or <code>b3w</code><br />(this can be anything you'd like - just make sure it's a word or phrase you're unlikely to type when you're not trying to search for bg3.wiki info)
# When finished, click '''Save''' to finish the process.
 
Once you've added the search engine, you can type <code>&lt;your keyword&gt; &lt;your search term&gt;</code> (ex: <code>bg3wiki potions</code>) in your browser's address bar to directly navigate to bg3.wiki.
 
Alternatively (and more simply), follow the official guide for how to add BG3.wiki as a search engine to Firefox's built-in search bar with just a few clicks: https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/add-or-remove-search-engine-firefox#
{{clear}}
 
=== {{color|#f7192b|Opera}} ===
[[File:bg3wiki opera addsearchengine.png|right|thumb|250px|(Step 1) Right-clicking on the Search box]]
[[File:bg3wiki opera search.png|right|thumb|250px|(Step 2) Opera's '''Create search engine''' box]]
# From any bg3.wiki page (including this one), right-click on the '''Search Baldur's Gate 3 Wiki''' box in the top right corner of the page and select '''Create search engine...'''
# Enter the following details in the '''Create search engine for "bg3.wiki"''' box that appears.
#* '''Name:''' The name that will appear when you type the Keyword below.
#** Ex: <code>bg3.wiki</code>
#* '''Keyword:''' The keyword you'll enter in your address bar to trigger a bg3.wiki search.
#** Ex: <code>bg3wiki</code> or <code>bg3w</code> or <code>b3w</code><br />(this can be anything you'd like - just make sure it's a word or phrase you're unlikely to type when you're not trying to search for bg3.wiki info)
# When finished, click '''Save''' to finish the process.
 
Once you've added the search engine, you can type <code>&lt;your keyword&gt; &lt;your search term&gt;</code> (ex: <code>bg3wiki companions</code>) in your browser's address bar to directly navigate to bg3.wiki.
{{clear}}
 
=== {{color|#f04c2a|Brave Browser}} ===
[[File:bg3wiki brave search.png|right|thumb|(Step 3) Brave's '''Add search engine''' box]]
# In the top right corner of Brave, click {{SmallIcon|browser hamburger.png}} '''Customize and control Brave''', then navigate to '''Settings''' &gt; '''Search engine''' &gt; '''Manage search engines and site search'''.
# Under the '''Site search''' heading, click the '''Add''' button.
# Enter the following details in the '''Add search engine''' box.
#* '''Search engine:''' The name that will appear in your address bar when you type the Shortcut below.
#** Ex: <code>BG3Wiki</code>
#* '''Shortcut:''' The keyword you'll enter in your address bar to trigger a bg3.wiki search.
#** Ex: <code>bg3wiki</code> or <code>bg3w</code> or <code>b3w</code><br />(this can be anything you'd like - just make sure it's a word or phrase you're unlikely to type when you're not trying to search for bg3.wiki info)
#* '''URL with %s in place of query:''' This is where your browser will search when you type the Shortcut above. Copy and paste one of the following.
#** <code>https://bg3.wiki/w/index.php?search=%s&title=Special%3ASearch&go=Go</code><br />(if you want to immediately navigate to an existing article when your search term matches an existing BG3Wiki article name)
#** <code>https://bg3.wiki/w/index.php?search=%s&title=Special%3ASearch&fulltext=1</code><br />(if you'd rather ''always'' see a list of search results instead of navigating directly to existing articles)
# When finished, click '''Add''' again to finish the process.
 
Once you've added the search engine, you can type <code>&lt;your shortcut&gt; &lt;your search term&gt;</code> (ex: <code>bg3wiki weapons</code>) in your browser's address bar to directly navigate to bg3.wiki.
 
== Using an Alternative Search Engine ==
You might also want to try something other than Google Search. Endorsing any specific search engine is not really the point of this article, but other search engines have a better track record of showing relevant bg3.wiki articles for your search terms, instead of ads and content farms. Maybe try searching Google for 'alternatives to Google' if you're feeling adventurous? :)
 
[[Category:Wiki Help]]
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