I’ve been working with WordPress for years and I’ve seen a lot of changes in the platform over time.

One thing that always surprises me is how many people are still using the default WordPress search feature.

Don’t get me wrong it’s functional but it’s nothing compared to the power of Google Search.

So I decided to dive into the world of adding Google Search to my own WordPress site.

It’s a simple yet powerful upgrade that can significantly improve the user experience and drive more engagement.

I figured you might be interested in how I did it so let me share my journey with you.

Tired of your WordPress search being slower than a dial-up connection? 🐢 Upgrade to Google Search and watch your visitors’ faces light up with joy! 🥳 Get started and boost your site’s search power

Table of Contents

Boosting Your WordPress Search with Google’s Power

Honestly it’s a no-brainer.

We all rely on Google every day and our visitors do too.

So why not bring that familiar and trusted search experience right onto our WordPress site? It’s a simple way to boost user experience and you know what that means? More time spent on your site more content consumed and potentially even more conversions!

Now there are a couple of ways to do this and I’ll break them down for you.

The Plugin Approach: Easy and Effective

My first approach was using a plugin.

I’ve always been a fan of plugins they make life so much easier for a WordPress user like me.

And honestly this one was a breeze.

Introducing WP Google Search

I went with the WP Google Search plugin and I have to say it was a great choice.

This plugin is super user-friendly and it lets you integrate Google Search seamlessly into your WordPress site.

The best part? You can even customize it to restrict searches to your website or even a specific list of sites.

It’s a great way to keep your visitors on your site and exploring all the amazing content you offer.

The Installation and Configuration Process: A Walk in the Park

Here’s a breakdown of how I did it.

It’s pretty straightforward:

Install and Activate: First you need to install and activate the WP Google Search plugin. Just go to your WordPress dashboard navigate to Plugins click on “Add New” and search for “WP Google Search.” Once you find it install and activate it.
Create a Custom Search Engine: Now you need to register with the Google Custom Search Engine. This is where the magic happens. You’ll generate a unique Google Search Engine ID and this ID is how you communicate with Google Search. You can find it by heading over to the Programmable Search Engine and click on “Get Started.”
Enter Your Website URL: In the “Sites to Search” section enter your website’s URL. It’s important to be accurate here! You can then give your search engine a name click on “Save” and Google will create your Custom Search Engine.
Customize Your Search Engine: Next you need to customize your search settings. To do this head over to your Google Custom Search Engine and select “Edit search engine.” Then go to the “Setup” tab and configure the settings. For example you can choose to enable or disable Google Image Search SafeSearch and even restrict results based on region. You can also limit searches to specific websites or even just your website. This can be really helpful if you want to encourage visitors to stay on your site and explore your content.
Copy Your Search Engine ID: Once you’re happy with your settings copy your search engine ID. This is important!
Paste it into the Plugin Settings: Head back to your WordPress dashboard navigate to “Settings” and then select “WP Google Search.” Paste your Google Search Engine ID into the “Google Search Engine ID” field.
Add the Search Bar: Now you can add the search bar to your website using the WP Google Search widget. Go to “Appearance” then “Widgets.” Find the “WP Google Search” widget and drag it to the sidebar where you want to display your search feature.
Customize the Widget: You can add a title to your widget or hide the title completely. Click on “Save” and the search bar will appear on your website.
Shortcodes for Specific Pages and Posts: What if you want to add the search bar only on certain pages or posts? No problem! You can use the shortcode option. Just open up the page or post you want to add the search bar to and then copy and paste the shortcode into the exact location where you want it to appear.
Theme Integration: You can also add the shortcode directly into your theme’s files. This can be a great option if you want to display the search bar consistently across your website. Just be careful when editing theme files as it can cause issues if you’re not careful. Always make a backup before you make any changes.

The Code-Based Approach: A Dive into Theme Files

If you’re comfortable with code you can replace the default WordPress search bar with Google Custom Search.

This option offers a more customized experience but it requires a bit more technical know-how.

Google Custom Search: A Step-by-Step Guide

Here’s a breakdown of how to do it:

Create a New Search Engine: Head over to the Google Custom Search Engine and select “New Search Engine.” This is where you’ll create your customized search box.
Enter Your Website URL and Language: In the “Sites to Search” section enter your website’s URL. You can also choose your website’s language and click on “Create.” Google will then build your custom search engine.
Generate the Code: Once your search engine is built select “Get code.” Google will generate the code you need to replace WordPress’ default search with Google search.
Backup Your Theme: Before you start editing any theme files make a backup of your website! This is crucial to prevent any potential issues.
Edit your Searchform.php File: Navigate to “Appearance” then “Theme Editor.” Select your theme and then open the “searchform.php” file. Delete the entire contents of the file and paste the code you copied from Google Custom Search into the empty file.
Save Your Changes: Click on “Update File” and now whenever users interact with any search bar on your website they’ll be connected to Google search.

The Power of Google Search on WordPress

I’ve been using Google Search on my WordPress site for a few months now and I can tell you it’s made a real difference.

My visitors are finding what they’re looking for quickly and easily.

It’s really a win-win for everyone.

The Benefits of Using Google Search:

Improved User Experience: Google Search is instantly recognizable so your visitors will know exactly how to use it. It’s a seamless experience that helps keep your visitors engaged.
Increased Search Power: Google’s search engine is known for its speed accuracy and advanced algorithms. It’s a must compared to the default WordPress search.
Customization Options: You have a lot of control over Google Search including the ability to limit results to your website or even specific sites. This helps keep your visitors engaged with your content.
Free and Easy: The best part? It’s free! You can start using Google Search on your WordPress website today.

If you’re looking to enhance the user experience on your WordPress site adding a Google Search bar is a simple but powerful upgrade.

You’ll be surprised at the difference it can make.

How to Add Google Search in a WordPress Site