Help:Searching BG3Wiki: Difference between revisions

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Revision as of 02:16, 24 March 2023

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rework intro; add instructions for other browsers; still need to fix the mixed numbered/bulleted lists
m (wording cleanup; add gif)
(rework intro; add instructions for other browsers; still need to fix the mixed numbered/bulleted lists)
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[[File:Bg3wiki search gif.gif|thumb|right|Demonstration of using a search keyword to find content on bg3.wiki]]
[[File:Bg3wiki search gif.gif|thumb|right|Demonstration of using a search keyword to directly navigate to bg3.wiki]]
{{#seo:
{{#seo:
| 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.
}}
}}
Getting Google Search to play nice with a newer, non-commercial website like bg3.wiki is a difficult and time-consuming task. Frankly, it's a pain in the butt and it's a bit rigged.
If you've ever tried searching for BG3 info on Google, you've probably noticed that bg3.wiki pages often don't appear in the search results. This is due to the way Google handles Search Engine Optimization (SEO), which is outside the scope of this article. Suffice it to say that non-commercial websites like bg3.wiki have a difficult time with SEO.


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.
'''The point: This article describes a simple way to bypass Google and find relevant information on bg3.wiki.''' We'll keep working on the Google side of things. In the meantime, hopefully this workaround helps.


'''In short:''' This article describes a simple way to bypass Google and find relevant information on bg3.wiki. We'll keep doing what we can to work on the Google side of things. In the meantime, hopefully this information helps.
== Search bg3.wiki Directly From 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.


== Search BG3Wiki Directly From Your Address Bar ==
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.
Here are browser-specific instructions on how to create a custom search keyword. This allows you to define a word of your choice that you can type in your address bar to focus your search directly on 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.
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.


=== Google Chrome ===
Scroll to the section for your browser below.
[[File:bg3wiki googlechrome search.png|right|thumb|Google Chrome's '''Add search engine''' box]]
 
=== {{color|#4285f4|G}}{{color|#ea4335|o}}{{color|#fbbc05|o}}{{color|#4285f4|g}}{{color|#34a853|l}}{{color|#ea4335|e}} Chrome ===
[[File:bg3wiki googlechrome search.png|right|thumb|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''')
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''')


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** <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)
** <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)


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 bg3.wiki.
Once you've added the search engine, 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.
 
=== {{color|#1190f5|Microsoft Edge}} ===
[[File:bg3wiki microsoftedge search.png|right|thumb|(Step 3) Edge's '''Add search engine''' box]]
# 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, 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.
 
=== {{color|#ff831a|Mozilla Firefox}} ===
[[File:bg3wiki mozillafirefox addkeyword.png|right|thumb|250px|(Step 1) Right-clicking on the Search box]]
[[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.


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 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 related to your search term.
# 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'''.
# Enter the following details in the '''Add bookmark''' box that appears.
#* '''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.


That's it!
Once you've added the search engine, 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.
{{clear}}


=== Microsoft Edge ===
=== {{color|#f7192b|Opera}} ===
To be added.
[[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.


=== Mozilla Firefox ===
Once you've added the search engine, 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.
To be added.
{{clear}}


=== Opera ===
=== {{color|#f04c2a|Brave Browser}} ===
To be added.
[[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.


=== Brave Browser ===
Once you've added the search engine, 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.
To be added.


== Using Alternative Search Engines ==
== 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? :)
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? :)
Retrieved from "https://bg3.wiki/wiki/Special:MobileDiff/14042"

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