How To: Search the Android Market From the Chrome Omnibox

Chris Kerrigan / October 27, 2011

By far one of the coolest features in Google Chrome is the ability to create custom search queries within the “Omnibox”. By default, Chrome comes packed with several custom searches including Wikipedia, YouTube and even competing search engines like Yahoo! and Bing. Strangely enough, the Android Market isn’t pre-configured, but it’s relatively easy to set up. Join me after the break and I’ll show you just how easy it is.

Alright, so you want to add the Android Market custom search to the Chrome omnibox. Here’s a detailed breakdown on just how to do that.

First, you’re going to want to click on the Chrome wrench and go to Preferences.
Next, you’re going to want to find the Search section under Basics. You’re then going to want to select Manage Search Engines

3. From here, you’re going to need to scroll down to the bottom where you should see the following screen.

4. You’ll need to fill out all three boxes. The first box is simply the name. Here, you can type Android Market

5. The second box is what is going to tell Chrome you’re looking to search the Android Market. In this instance, type Market

6. The final box is the most important. This is going to tell Chrome the URL to push the search through. For the Android market, you’re going to want to put this into the third

box: https://market.android.com/search?q=%s

7. That’s it! To utilize the custom search, all you need to do is type in “Market” followed by a Space and then your search query. Once you hit Enter, Chrome will automatically take you to an Android Market search for whatever you typed. It should look something like this.

Pretty simple, eh?

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Tags:Android Market Chrome Google+How To

By Chris Kerrigan

A 22-year old proud New Yorker with an obsession with all-things Android. I consider myself a tech junkie, and have recently begun sharing my thoughts and opinions through writing for various Android websites. An SEO and grammar Nazi, I love what I do and take my writings very seriously. My first Android device was an OG Droid (a phone I still have laying around the house). From there I went to a Droid Incredible, Samsung Fascinate & HTC Merge. I also have a fascination and slight obsession with Android-based tablets, which you may see from my style of writing.