1272292 - Show default search engine in search field again

Status: NEW

(Firefox :: Search, defect, P5)

Description

[Sebastian Zartner [:sebo]]

Before the new one-off search got introduced, the default search engine was shown within the search field including the name of the engine plus its favicon.

To allow the user to know which search engine will be used before (s)he types something into the field, this feature should be added back.

(In reply to Florian Quèze [:florian] [:flo] from bug 1108488 comment #18)
> (In reply to Sebastian Zartner [:sebo] from comment #17)
> 
> > Is there an explanation for why the default search engine is not displayed
> > anymore before starting to search or should I create a new bug to discuss
> > that?
> 
> This was changed intentionally (although discussed only very quickly)
> because with the addition of the one-off buttons, we feel that the searchbox
> and the search panel are no longer used to search just one specific engine,
> but are the starting point for any search. What I mean is that if you want
> to search ebay, you are less likely to do it in a field that reads "Google"
> or "Yahoo".

If it's confusing for users to read the name of the search engine, only the icon of the default search engine should be shown.

Sebastian

Comment 1

[Florian Quèze [:florian]]

(In reply to Sebastian Zartner [:sebo] from comment #0)
> Before the new one-off search got introduced, the default search engine was
> shown within the search field including the name of the engine plus its
> favicon.
> 
> To allow the user to know which search engine will be used before (s)he
> types something into the field, this feature should be added back.
> 
> (In reply to Florian Quèze [:florian] [:flo] from bug 1108488 comment #18)
> > (In reply to Sebastian Zartner [:sebo] from comment #17)
> > 
> > > Is there an explanation for why the default search engine is not displayed
> > > anymore before starting to search or should I create a new bug to discuss
> > > that?
> > 
> > This was changed intentionally (although discussed only very quickly)
> > because with the addition of the one-off buttons, we feel that the searchbox
> > and the search panel are no longer used to search just one specific engine,
> > but are the starting point for any search. What I mean is that if you want
> > to search ebay, you are less likely to do it in a field that reads "Google"
> > or "Yahoo".
> 
> If it's confusing for users to read the name of the search engine, only the
> icon of the default search engine should be shown.

If seeing the name is confusing, then seeing the icon would be as confusing.

Removing this icon was a UX decision, so if you want to reintroduce it we should consult UX.

Comment 2

[Pols12]

Typing in the field makes a panel with all search engines display. This panel should probably be displayed as soon as focus is given to the field, even if the field is empty.

However, I used to like to *see what is default engine before searching for selected text from contextual menu*.

Indeed, now, I right click on selected text and I see “Search with Wikipedia” whereas I’d like to search with DuckDuckGo. I’m obliged to go to search field, use CTRL+DOWN to select DuckDuckGo, and then click again on selected text to see “Search with DuckDuckGo”, which is what I want to do.