Select Search

Offers to make a quick search in google or other websites using the selected text.
What is Select Search?
Select Search is a Chrome extension that offers the ability to make quick searches in Google or other websites by selecting text. It provides a non-intrusive balloon that allows users to search in Google, Wikipedia, or Twitter. The balloon is always accessible and active on text fields, disappearing after hitting a key or a period of inactivity. Users can customize transparency, icon order, rows, and opening method. The extension guarantees real privacy by not making any requests to external servers.

Extension stats

This extension was removed from Chrome Web Store on 2023-01-28
By: jeremie
Users: 12,232+
Rating: 4.33 (137)
Version: 1.5.20 (Last updated: 2013-02-20)
Creation date: 2013-02-20
Risk impact: High risk impact
Risk likelihood: High risk likelihood
Manifest version: 2
Permissions:
  • tabs
  • <all_urls>
  • clipboardWrite
Size: 129.02K

Other platforms

Not available on Firefox
Not available on Edge
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Extension summary

When you select some text, it pops up a non intrusive baloon which allows you to do a search in google, wikipedia or twitter. I wrote it because FasterFox (aka SmarterFox, aka FastestChrome) took time to be ported to Chrome and I love this feature.

Moreover, there is some differences in Select Search wrt FasterFox:

  • Baloon positioning rule is different, in particular the box is always accessible
  • There is more search possibilities
  • The baloon is also active on text fields.
  • The baloon disapears as soon as you hit a key or after a period of inactivity.
  • You can set transparency, order of the icons, number of rows, method of opening (new tab in background, new trab in front, same tab, only one new tab).
  • I keep your settings between two updates and I guarantee you REAL PRIVACY (no requests to external servers unlike FasterChrome). Security warnings are because the extension is active on all web pages so I could log your history , but I DO NOT.

Note that you have to reload a page before having the baloon and the extension is disabled on chrome extension pages.

Note on local favicons for personalized search engines : due to new security measures by google I'm not sure to be able to do it with an upload form. Nevertheless you should be able to use a path like file://path_on_your_computer/your_favicon.ico

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User reviews

テキストをドラッグするとボタンが表示され、押すと即グーグル検索ができる。 僅かな動作ですが、頻繁に行うため作業効率が大変良くなりました。 素晴らしいプラグインをありがとうございます。
by シュウヘイ, 2022-07-30

Make the UI more modern with dark mode. Then it would be perfect.
by Person 1, 2022-01-15

Firstly, I really rate this extension and used to use it all the time, so everything I write below I say while respecting the original developer. However there were a couple of things about the extension that bugged me. First of all, it does not sync user preferences across different computers. So if you sign in to Chrome on a new computer, Chrome will install the extension but your settings will have changed back to default. It's a small thing but it bugged me because I did not like the default multiple-icon popup and always used the extension with only one search icon. Also the settings page I found to be a bit clunky and outdated, and even some of the default icons are now old and outdated. As a hobby I write Chrome extensions and seeing as this extension had not been updated since 2013, I thought I would produce something that meets my own needs with some enhanced features. It is called "One Click Search". It is fairly basic but it fits my needs and if it gets popular I am open to adding new features. You can find it at https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/one-click-search/eaafadnjnjkpfeoghedeoadlnebaccbg Thanks for reading
by Alex Wright, 2021-08-01
View all user reviews

Extension safety

Risk impact

Select Search requires some sensitive permissions that could impact your browser and data security. Exercise caution before installing.

Risk likelihood

Select Search may not be trust-worthy. Avoid installing if possible unless you really trust this publisher.

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Promo images

Select Search small promo image
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