How To Add A Simple Search To Your Blogger Blog

Every blog should include a search feature. If a reader has to click on every page or in every category to find what they are looking for then they may leave out of frustration. Adding a search feature will make your reader happy and it is easy to do.

Many of the Blogger templates do not include a search box. These simple instructions will show you how to add one to your blog.

Note: These instructions are for Blogger.com (Blogspot) blogs.

Add search box to blogger

Follow these simple instructions:

1. Log into your Blogger.com account.

2. Click the Layout tab from your blog Dashboard.

3. Click Page Elements.

4. Click Add a Gadget above the section you want to put your search box in.

5. Click the plus sign next to HTML/Javascript.

6. Type Search this site (or whatever you want) in the Title box or leave it blank.

7. Copy and paste this HTML code in the text area.

  • To modify the width of the search box change the size=”XX” number.
  • To center the search box add <center> before <form… and </center> after </form>.

<form id=”searchthis” action=”/search” style=”DISPLAY: inline” method=”get”><input id=”search-box” name=”q” size=”25″> <input id=”search-btn” value=”Search” type=”submit”></form>

Add a simple search box to your blog

7. Click Save.

8. Click Preview.

9. You may have to drag the search gadget into a new area until you get it positioned where you want it to show on the blog.

10. To test the search functionality click View Blog.

Add a simple search box to your blog

Now you have a simple way for viewers to search your blog and the results will appear embedded in your blog so the reader isn’t taken off onto a new page or a site that doesn’t look like yours.

Tagged: •

Wendy Limauge

I have been involved with technology since 1993 when we bought our first Commodore computer and got online with a 300 baud modem (those were the days). I have been a software trainer, computer consultant, in-home troubleshooter, web designer and was known as The Computer Lady (http://www.thecomputerladyonline.com) to many. I love learning about the latest software, web app, or gadget that comes out. I am usually the first one in my area to try out new technology and love sharing my knowledge with others. If a person feels intimidated they won't learn and my job has always been to create an atmosphere where people feel at ease and in turn, they will learn. My husband, Greg, and I own an online lavender business. We only sell online and have a retail and wholesale site. We also have our own product line that I developed - Limauge Boutique (http://www.limaugeboutique.com). The inspiration for that business came after an exciting trip to France valued at $25,000 that I won from Forbes.com back in 2001. Sweepstakes has been a fun hobby for me since 1993 and I average between 200 and 300 prizes a year. You can learn how to enter and win at my site, http://www.sweetiessweeps.com If you ever have questions please feel free to email me or leave me a comment and I will try to answer your questions to the best of my knowledge.

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  • http://computersservicing.blogspot.com/ venkat

    Nice find ,there is also search in blog feature also available in Blogger navbar.

  • http://jimwgreen.blogspot.com Jim

    I’m a little dense so maybe you can explain the use of this blogger search feature.

    If a person comes to your blog and isn’t familiar with your content, how would they know what to type into the search field and as venkat mentioned, there is already a search field in the nav bar so it would be repetitive to have both (unless one has gotten rid of the nav bar).

    • http://www.thecomputerladyonline.com Wendy

      Jim,

      This search trick is for a blogger blog that does not already have a search feature. Some templates already include a search box while others do not.

      Wendy

      • http://jimwgreen.blogspot.com Jim

        Wendy-

        Thanks for the explanation. I thought maybe I was think-headed and was missing something there.

        When I finally decide to rid my site of my nav bar, I’ll use the one you’ve provided.

        -Jim

  • http://speaktomeexpertservices.blogspot.com Ted Murphy

    Heh, worked for me, thanks!

  • http://cia-mouse-potato.blogspot.com/ CIAvash

    very good.thanks.

  • http://coolbusteratyourservice.blogspot.com/ Coolbuster

    nice one. many thanks!

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  • http://www.Onlinediscountblog.com Steve

    Hi Wendy

    I followed the instructions but the search button shows up , but it doesnt work .I can type in the query to search but cant click on the search button to get results.

    • http://www.thecomputerladyonline.com Wendy Limauge

      Steve, Did you ever get the search box to work on your site? I took a look and it looks like you are using the Google search feature now.

      • http://www.Onlinediscountblog.com Steve

        Hi Wendy,

        I did add teh search box but it did not work , it was just a static button .That’s why i replaced it with the google search .I would love to use the search box …

        Thanks
        Steve

  • http://mario-kart-wii-tips.blogspot.com/ Durkin

    thanks a lot for this!

  • http://fopparacing.se Johan

    This is what i have been looking for. I have removed the blogger navbar and I´m really missing the search function.

    BUT SADLY, this does not work on my page. I only get two text boxes the top one emty and the bottom one with the text “searh”.
    What is wrong, please help me

    • Kyle

      try this slightly adjusted code:

  • http://vinstein.blogspot.com vinstein

    Hey thanks.. workin great..
    How can i add Previous and next links to my blog entries??

  • Kyle

    The code has a slight error (at least for my site). As with others who have commented, I couldn’t get the ‘search button’ to show up and work. Here is the code without the extra quotation marks: