Wikipedia:Google Custom Search

This page is currently inactive and is retained for historical reference.
Either the page is no longer relevant or consensus on its purpose has become unclear. To revive discussion, seek broader input via a forum such as the village pump. The Google Custom Search script is broken, presumably because it relies on APIs that were locked down as of late.

Google Custom Search for Wikipedia, is a JavaScript extension that users of Wikipedia can install. It offers a contextual search experience, made possible with the power of Google Custom Search. Enabling this extension will allow you to use Google Custom Search to search across all Wikipedia articles for a given topic, as well as find relevant pages linked from the Wikipedia page that you are currently on, i.e., all the relevant linked pages on the current topic of interest. The search results will appear inline at the top of the Wikipedia page you are viewing, and can easily be dismissed via the "Clear" or X button.

Here are the required steps for you to use the Custom Search skin:

Create a user account on Wikipedia if you don't already have one.
Log in to Wikipedia (link on top right corner)
Go to your preferences page. Click on the "Appearance" tab.
- If you are using the default Monobook skin, select your Monobook.js file and use the "edit this page" tab on top to paste the following lines:
```
importScript("User:Csewiki/monobook.js");
```

If you are signed up for the Beta and are using the new Vector skin, select your Vector.js file and use the "edit" tab on the top right to paste the following lines:

importScript("User:Csewiki/vector.js");

Make sure to save your changes (you may have to type in a CAPTCHA to successfully submit changes). Reload your current page in your browser (Hold down Shift while clicking Reload), so the above changes take effect.
You're done!

"Wikipedia Custom Search Box in Monobook Skin"

Wikipedia Custom Search Box in Monobook Skin

Your search box should now be updated. When you search, results will show up inline in the current page, instead of opening up a new window, or tab. The appearance of the search box will depend on the skin you are using (Vector or Monobook), as shown in the screenshots. The appearance could also change depending on the web browser you are using.

"Wikipedia Custom Search Box in Vector Skin" — Wikipedia Custom Search Box in Vector Skin

Remember that in order to enable this new contextual search experience, you need a user account and need to log in to Wikipedia. When you search, your results will show up inline at the top of the Wikipedia page you are viewing. You can click on the relevant tab to toggle between all Wikipedia matches, just the matching Wikipedia pages linked from the current page, or external (non-Wikipedia) linked pages. If a Wikipedia page does not have a lot of content or links, it is possible that there are only a few linked results.

"Wikipedia Custom Search Tabs"

Google Custom Search is powered by Google and is subject to the Google privacy policy.