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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[MrNase]

Originally Posted by Princeton

did you set your CSE "Search Engine Language" to German??

Yes, it's set to 'German':
Attachment 72262

Well, German Umlauts suck anyway. I simply told my users not to use them and it's running fine.


My members seem to like it but I need to promote it better:
Attachment 72263

[petersweb]

Great work. Didn't take long to get up and running - well done!

[wpwood3]

Just what I have been looking for to improve search capability on my site without straining my server. :up:

[ABDALWAHID]

Thank you Princeton my adsense money now 2X

[NFLfbJunkie]

How can I remove the "Can't find what you are looking for? Try xxx or our Advanced Search" phrase from the gtsearch page?

[abg]

could not get it to work for search in non-latin characters - it would return empty set of results. it does not say 'did not mach any documents', but instead just shows a page with forum header and footer and nothing in between. any ideas as to what can be wrong are greatly appreciated.

[jGas]

is it possible to enable gt search only for guests and vb search only for registered users?
thanks

[Princeton]

Originally Posted by jGas

is it possible to enable gt search only for guests and vb search only for registered users?
thanks

yes it's possible .. you will need to edit the "IF" statement in global_start plugin to show to guests only eg. " AND $show['guests']

[pgb]

The google logo in the search drop down box is showing up as a broken image. Any ideas?

It's looking for http://www.google.com/images/powered...poweredby_.gif

[Sjakie]

Installed and thanks for this great mod. One question:
Could you provide me the code that I need to put in my header, in order to make the search option appear? I have a custom style