Google Chrome includes a feature that allows you to search specific websites directly from the address bar. This is useful when working with large Google Sites, such as school portals, project hubs, or curriculum websites, where using a full Google search can be slow or distracting.

This feature is set up through Chrome’s site search settings.

Where to Set It Up

In Chrome, open:

chrome://settings/searchEngines

Scroll down to Site search and select Add.

The Google Sites Search URL Format

Modern Google Sites use a structured search URL in the following format:

https://sites.google.com/search/DOMAIN/SITENAME?query=%s

Where:

  • DOMAIN is the organisation or school domain
  • SITENAME is the Google Site name
  • %s is a placeholder for the search terms

Example: Garden School Google Site

For the Garden School site vibecodingfun, the URL looks like this:

https://sites.google.com/search/gardenschool.edu.my/vibecodingfun?query=%s

This is the URL you place into the URL field when creating the site search in Chrome.

Understanding How %s Works

The %s is replaced automatically by Chrome with whatever the user types after the shortcut.

For example:

  • You type in the address bar: garden loops
  • Chrome replaces %s with loops
  • Chrome opens: https://sites.google.com/search/gardenschool.edu.my/vibecodingfun?query=loops

This passes the search term directly into the Google Site’s search system.

Using the Search Once It Is Set Up

After saving the site search:

  1. Click the Chrome address bar
  2. Type your shortcut (for example garden)
  3. Press Space or Tab
  4. Type your search term
  5. Press Enter

Chrome will search only within that Google Site.

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