Replace WordPress default search with server-side rendered Google Custom Search results.

rtCamp

Kiran Potphode

Shalin Shah

<p>This plugin will replace the WordPress default search query with server-side results from either the <a href="https://developers.google.com/custom-search/v1/site_restricted_api" rel="nofollow ugc">Custom Search Site Restricted JSON API</a> or the <a href="https://developers.google.com/custom-search/v1/overview" rel="nofollow ugc">Custom Search JSON API</a>. You can make your selection within the settings > Reading > Search type. This replacement is done on the WordPress back-end, so results appear as normal within WordPress search.</p>
<h4>Requirements</h4>
<ol>
<li><a href="https://console.developers.google.com/apis/credentials" rel="nofollow ugc">Google API Key</a></li>
<li><a href="https://cse.google.com/all" rel="nofollow ugc">Programmable Search engine ID</a></li>
</ol>
<h4>Setup</h4>
<ol>
<li><a href="https://developers.google.com/custom-search/v1/introduction" rel="nofollow ugc">Get Google API key</a>. An API key is a way to identify your client to Google.</li>
<li><a href="https://cse.google.com/" rel="nofollow ugc">Get Programmable Search engine ID</a>. In Google settings, restrict the Search engine to only search for your one site.</li>
<li>On WordPress dashboard, set API Key and Custom Search Engine ID in the plugin settings. <code>Dashboard > Settings > Reading > Search with Google Settings</code>.</li>
<li>Select the search type from Custom Search Site Restricted JSON API or Custom Search API. (Refer <a href="#notes" rel="nofollow ugc">Notes</a> section for more details)</li>
</ol>
<h4>Notes</h4>
<ol>
<li>Custom Search Site Restricted JSON API can show only 100 search results for the query.</li>
<li>A result page can have maximum of 10 results.</li>
<li>Assistance for Custom Site Restricted Search JSON API is scheduled to cease as of December 18, 2024. <a href="https://developers.google.com/custom-search/v1/site_restricted_api" rel="nofollow ugc">Read more</a>. Due to this modification, we are introducing an opt-in feature that enables the use of solely the Custom Search API, as opposed to the Custom Site-restricted Search API. This will allow you to continue using the Custom Search API after December 18, 2024.</li>
</ol>
<h4>BTW, We’re Hiring!</h4>
<p><a href="https://rtcamp.com/" rel="nofollow ugc">Join us at rtCamp, we specialize in providing high performance enterprise WordPress solutions</a></p>


Search with Google

Provided you know how to get your API Key and Search engine ID from Google, this couldn't be easier to set up. Compare results with the results in the "Public URL" page at cse.google.com with the plugin switched on or off, and if your site is well SEO-optimised, you'll see much better results with it switched on and properly configured. 

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