Add-On Releases - GTSearch: Google? Custom Search Engine

Now you can have your very own Google? Custom Search Engine tailored specifically for your web site.

Why GTSearch: Google? Custom Search Engine?

• Help your visitors find what they're looking for
• Invite your friends and community to contribute
• Make money with AdSense for Search

Custom modification brought to you by Joe Velez (aka Princeton vbulletin.org Admin).

1.0.0 VERSION (download GTSEARCH.zip)

This is a "No Template Edits" modifications.

Show your support and click Mark As Installed and Nominate For MOTM.

For continued support and upgrades - support by donating via PayPal.

What is a Custom Search Engine?

A Custom Search Engine is a tailored search experience, built using Google's core search technology, that prioritizes or restricts search results based on websites and pages you specify. Your Custom Search Engine can be tailored to reflect your point of view or area of expertise. With a Custom Search Engine, you can:

• Apply your website's look and feel to the search results page.
• Provide search refinements within results pages to make it easier for searchers to find the information they're looking for.
• Add sites to your search engine's index as you surf the web.
• Invite friends and trusted users to co-edit and contribute to your search engine.
• Make money from your Custom Search Engine by participating in Google's AdSense program.

Once you've defined your search engine index, Google will give you a simple piece of code for a search box to place on your site or blog. You'll then have the option to choose various customization options to make the look and feel and functionality of your search engine your own.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q) What exactly does this modification do?
A) It integrates your CSE with your site - results are on your site not on a Google-hosted page.

Q) Can I run Adsense ads on the same page?
A) No, it's Adsense Google's TOS. To earn money, you will need to associate your CSE with your Adsense account. You can do this by clicking the "Make Money" section of your custom search engine control panel.

Instructions

1. Upload gtsearch.php file to vbulletin root (same place where global.php file is located)
2. Install GTSearch: Google? Custom Search Engine product file
3. Create a Custom Search Engine @ google.com
4. Want to make money? Follow directions as instructed in the Make Money section of your CSE page.
5. When completed copy/paste Code to GTSearch: Google? Custom Search Engine vBulletin Options.
6. Done

Questions about Google? Custom Search Engine?

• Direct all questions to Google's Discussion group

Must Read

• Google? Custom Search Engine Terms of Service
• Google? Custom Search Help Center

History:

• November 6 2007 - GTSearch: Google? Custom Search Engine release

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[KevinL]

Works just fine. Actually just set it up

[Saviour]

Well, Kevin...

I'd appreciate it if you could tell me how you did it, because I have it installed as well, but when I do a Google search, while I'm logged in...the results page shows me as not logged in. However, when I do another search...it shows me as logged in.

Any suggestions?

BTW...I use vBAdvanced, as well...

[KevinL]

Hrm...

I just read and followed the directions like I have since I have when it came out. I've used this since 3.6. I've set it up new each time with out a hitch.

Are you sure that you set up where it says: 'Host results on your website' then choose iframe then 'Specify search results details' and point it to gtsearch.php? <-- thats very important.

[Saviour]

I sure did...

I'm not having a problem with the search results, though.

Right now, I have it disabled on my site. However, if you have it running...do me a favor, if you don't mind...clear your cache...login to your forum and do a Google search. Are you still logged in after you perform the search and get your results?

Are you using vBAdvanced?

[Saviour]

Okay...even though the both of us know this was not written for 3.8...here's the beef:

1. I've followed the directions to the "T".
2. When I perform a search, I'm no longer logged in.
3. When I perform a search, I get results, displayed as I wanted when I configured my CSE.
4. When the page loads, the title bar reads my BB title...along with the complete description of my site from the page's source code.
5. Dropdown Menu box for Links/Urls

Now...I'm not entirely stupid...and like I said...I have installed this per Princeton's instructions. Here are the mod's I currently have installed:

1. vbAdvanced CMPS 3.1.0
2. UserCP Navbar Menu 2.0.0
3. Separate Sticky and Normal Threads 3.0.0
4. Post Thank You Hack 7.7
5. Logician's Web Templates 3.7.00
6. ibProArcade for vBulletin 2.6.8
7. Cyb - ChatBox 2.3
8. Cyb - Advanced Forum Statistics 6.2

Would any of these mods have an influence over the functionality of this mod?

[KevinL]

They shouldn't have any affect on it. Just tried it and it works fine

[Saviour]

I wonder if the AdSense I have at the top of my pages may be causing the issues?

[KevinL]

Well I have adsense also...hmmm

Something else isn't right. obviously haha I will see if anyone is having any problems with it on my site

[LoveStream]

Dear.

Now I'm trying install it, but when i query input form area, it return only "smile list"

Here, my works...

My version is 3.8.0

1. I open /forum/gtsearch.php

2. query test onto

3. I want to see the result on custom page, as

/forum/misc.php?do=page&template=google

4. my code like below

Find Search box code

<style type="text/css">
@import url(http://www.google.com/cse/api/branding.css);
</style>
<div class="cse-branding-right" style="background-color:#FFFFFF;color:#000000">
  <div class="cse-branding-form">
    <form action="http://***.****.***/forum/misc.php?do=page&template=google" id="cse-search-box">
      <div>
        <input type="hidden" name="cx" value="007869952715651639603:******" />
        <input type="hidden" name="cof" value="FORID:9" />
        <input type="hidden" name="ie" value="UTF-8" />
        <input type="text" name="q" size="31" />
        <input type="submit" name="sa" value="Search" />
      </div>
    </form>
  </div>
  <div class="cse-branding-logo">
    <img src="http://www.google.com/images/poweredby_transparent/poweredby_FFFFFF.gif" alt="Google" />
  </div>
  <div class="cse-branding-text">
    Custom Search
  </div>
</div>

Find Results code

<div id="cse-search-results"></div>
<script type="text/javascript">
  var googleSearchIframeName = "cse-search-results";
  var googleSearchFormName = "cse-search-box";
  var googleSearchFrameWidth = 600;
  var googleSearchDomain = "www.google.com";
  var googleSearchPath = "/cse";
</script>
<script type="text/javascript" src="http://www.google.com/afsonline/show_afs_search.js"></script>

What's problem?

Bless you.

[Saviour]

Okay...

I finally have this working on 3.8.1. However, I've run into a couple of issues, which I hope someone can help me with.

[S]First issue: See this post - https://vborg.vbsupport.ru/showpost....&postcount=258[/S]

Second issue: In an attempt to make the search page XHTML compliant, I've run into an issue with this code:

<style>iframe{width:100%}</style>

It's located within the GTSEARCH_GOOGLE template. Is there another way of coding this in order for it to be XHTML compliant and work?


Update...

I resolved the first issue by modifying the product's XML file, importing and overwriting. So the WOL issue (For me, at least) has been resolved. However, I could still use some help with the second issue.

Additional Update...

I resolved the second issue by replacing the above code with this:

<style type="text/css">
/*<![CDATA[*/
iframe{width:100%}
/*]]>*/
</style>

Both issues have now been resolved. Thanks for the help...