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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[Calash]

Originally Posted by Princeton

your styles are not up to date .. make sure $template_hook['navbar_search_menu'] exists in your search menu html

This was my problem as well. I placed the hook where it should be and now the search bar shows up without hard coding.

Thanks

[NFLfbJunkie]

I place a Google AdSense advertisement in the footer of my style and centered it and it shows as centered on all pages but the gtsearch template. On the search results page it is to the left. Any ideas why this is so and how to center it on this page?

[Princeton]

you cannot show adsense ads on the Google CSE page .. I believe it's against their TOS.

[NFLfbJunkie]

Is there a way for it to not show on the CSE page and only on the rest of my forum's pages?

[youradhere4222]

So we can't have AdSense and the search engine on the same forum?

[MrNase]

MOTM!

The only thing is that I have problems with are German umlauts. Whenever I use a word with an umlaut, Google doesn't find the word no matter what encoding I select.

[toonysnn]

Simple and great.
/me installs

[Princeton]

Originally Posted by Junkie

Is there a way for it to not show on the CSE page and only on the rest of my forum's pages?

conditional "THIS_SCRIPT!='gtsearch'"

Originally Posted by youradhere4222

So we can't have AdSense and the search engine on the same forum?

the CSE is on it's own page .. just make sure no adsense ads appear on the same page as the results - you make money by associating your CSE with your Adsense account

[Princeton]

Originally Posted by MrNase

MOTM!

The only thing is that I have problems with are German umlauts. Whenever I use a word with an umlaut, Google doesn't find the word no matter what encoding I select.

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

[NFLfbJunkie]

Princeton, in what template does the conditional "THIS_SCRIPT!='gtsearch'" get put, and where exactly in the template?