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Bring back the Gmail Search the Web option!
As an apparent by-product of recent changes (adding the new "Labels" and "Move" functions), it appears Google has dumped the "Search the Web" option from the top of the Gmail main page in their eagerness to accomodate newb ies and folder addicts.
There have always been two search options in Gmail, "Search Mail" and "Search the Web." As recently as the evening of Monday, 2d February, those two options appeared at the top of my Gmail page; the next morning when I logged in, only the search box followed by "Search mail" appeared.
It has always been helpful when composing or reading email to have the ability to search the web -- NOT just my mail -- from my Gmail page.
You can find other Gmail-ers who are dismayed, angered, and confused about the apparent removal of the "Search Web" option here:
http://www.google.com/url?url=http://...
__here:
http://groups.google.com/group/Gmail-....
__and here:
http://groups.google.com/group/Gmail-....
And at Gmail Labs:
http://groups.google.com/group/gmail-...
It is bizarre, ironic, and frustrating and COUNTER-PRODUCTIVE that
Google, the leading search engine, should REMOVE the "Search THE Web"
option from the Gmail page. The ability to simply, quickly, and easily -- virtually in one motion -- search for content, do a quick bit of sideline research, perform a quick fact
check, all while composing or reading email, has been a compelling reason for me to favor Gmail over any of my other webmail providers. While I can't say removing the "Search Web" option is a deal-breaker, I can say it isn't a deal-maker.
Another small irony here: by adding "Move" (and a semblance of
folders for newbies who don't quite grasp the modus operandi of
Gmail), Google is remodelling Gmail to resemble more strongly other
traditional webmail destinations like Yahoo, et al., yet in the same
motion, they have subtracted "Search Web" which is a function other
webmail sites emulate because of its brilliant and expedient usefulness.
Sorry, Google, but have you forgotten what your primary product
is? Search!
Please, Google, bring back the "Search the Web" option to Gmail. :-/
There have always been two search options in Gmail, "Search Mail" and "Search the Web." As recently as the evening of Monday, 2d February, those two options appeared at the top of my Gmail page; the next morning when I logged in, only the search box followed by "Search mail" appeared.
It has always been helpful when composing or reading email to have the ability to search the web -- NOT just my mail -- from my Gmail page.
You can find other Gmail-ers who are dismayed, angered, and confused about the apparent removal of the "Search Web" option here:
http://www.google.com/url?url=http://...
__here:
http://groups.google.com/group/Gmail-....
__and here:
http://groups.google.com/group/Gmail-....
And at Gmail Labs:
http://groups.google.com/group/gmail-...
It is bizarre, ironic, and frustrating and COUNTER-PRODUCTIVE that
Google, the leading search engine, should REMOVE the "Search THE Web"
option from the Gmail page. The ability to simply, quickly, and easily -- virtually in one motion -- search for content, do a quick bit of sideline research, perform a quick fact
check, all while composing or reading email, has been a compelling reason for me to favor Gmail over any of my other webmail providers. While I can't say removing the "Search Web" option is a deal-breaker, I can say it isn't a deal-maker.
Another small irony here: by adding "Move" (and a semblance of
folders for newbies who don't quite grasp the modus operandi of
Gmail), Google is remodelling Gmail to resemble more strongly other
traditional webmail destinations like Yahoo, et al., yet in the same
motion, they have subtracted "Search Web" which is a function other
webmail sites emulate because of its brilliant and expedient usefulness.
Sorry, Google, but have you forgotten what your primary product
is? Search!
Please, Google, bring back the "Search the Web" option to Gmail. :-/
I’m frustrated, angry, confused, pissed off.
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Inappropriate?I literally use the Search Web option dozens of times a day. I keep Gmail open at all times and go there to do all of my searches when I'm emailing or not. It's just my method of getting places the quickest.
Please, please, please bring this option back. I feel completely lost without it.
I’m frustrated
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i delete my g male acaunt i need it back to me plese help me -
my name is nelam i delete my gmail id i need to back it ples help me narwal.nelam@gmail.com ...... its my gmail i need it back plese
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its unnessesary and any thing that is unnessesary simply takes up screen space, you have a bar in the browser it self, why do you need another bar in gmail...useless in my opinion.....sides....just hit "cntrl + T" for a new tab and then search using it, no need to disturb gmail
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Inappropriate?Fellow Gmail fans of the "Search the Web" option:
In November 2008, fellow Gmail user and expert commentator on emerging technologies, Steve Rubel, wrote a thorough and excellent essay, "Making Gmail Your Gateway to the Web." In it, he articulates beautifully what many of us have tried to express about the value we gain from the "Search the Web" option and how he integrates (errr...make that "integrated" for the moment) Gmail -- WITH the "Search the Web" option -- into a powerhouse tool for running and organizing his business and communications.
If you are an employee of Google reading this thread, among the doubters about "Search the Web" and its usefulness, or among its supporters, you will find his vivid demonstration enlightening:
www.micropersuasion.com/2008/11/makin...
Google, bring back the "Search the Web" option!
I’m wanting my "Search the Web" option back in Gmail!
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Inappropriate?Google-friends! Please help us! Please let us know why you have taken this away!
I’m Sad yet hopeful!
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Inappropriate?Two/three days without it and still can't figure out why in the world would it NEED to be removed and who found it ih his/her way.
Why send out such a negative vibe around the world?
I agree with Java4Diva: THRIVE! Don't just survive!
I’m sad, confused, frustrated and hoping Google will come to their senses!
1 person says
this answers the question
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Inappropriate?my wife is totally pissed of about taking search away from gmail :)
even i started to use it recently :) -
Inappropriate?For an excellent follow-up to Scott Wilson's CIO Weblog post, "Google Gone Bonkers," read his latest post, "More on Complications at Google." He posits what might lurk behind Google's tatty tinkering with Gmail. Spoiler alert: it's a good KISS blog post, altho he says "good riddance" to the Search the Web option --
http://www.cio-weblog.com/50226711/mo...
Just the same, thank you, Scott, for your examination of Google's
misguided manuevers!
Meanwhile, back at the ranch, it's been slightly over a week since
Google removed the "Search the Web" option from our Gmail, and a
variety of suggested work-arounds notwithstanding, nothing works as
universally well for ALL users as it did.
So, I will say it again:
Google, please restore the "Search the Web" option to Gmail.
I’m waiting for the Google Overlords to see the light!
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Inappropriate?I had to manually add a Google Search Box to Gmail today. A
See below on how to do it.
First in Gmail Labs enable "Add any gadget by URL" & "Navbar drag and
drop" Hit Save. Then go to settings and you'll see a tab for Gadgets.
Go to Gadgets and add the url below.
right click on the link below and save the url. Then paste it in Gmail
as noted above.
http://hosting.gmodules.com/ig/gadget...
hope this helps other frustrated users. let me know if you need help.1 Comment Add a comment
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Unfortunately, this Google/Gmail gadget does not emulate the original Search the Web option that we had on our Gmail page: just like a browser search box, this gadget "highjacks" the Gmail page and replaces it with a search results list.
The original Search the Web option opened an additional page which could then be used side-by-side for comparison and reference purposes as one read/wrote mail. -
Inappropriate?worthless considering there is always a little search bar in the firefox frame work or in chrome for example there is one bar that searves as a omni search bar - why take up extra space on the interface if its not neccesary, sure i bet you dont want to change your ways but in the end its better for the future of gmail and its look. make it smooth and make it sleek and get rid of any crap that is not neccesary
I’m happy
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Actually, Dave, that entire search bar takes up a helluva lot more screen real estate than a single button, and my browser doesn't have one anyway. I fail to see how the removal of a single button is "better for gmail and its look". Get rid of your search bar if you don't want unnecessary crap on your screen.
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Also, as I noted in the beginning of this thread with the references to the thousands of posts that now exist within the Google & Gmail forums regarding the missing-in-action Search the Web option, nothing works as
universally well for ALL users as it did. If you doubt this, read what the posts say. -
Inappropriate?My solution is to open any of my incoming email messages and click on one of the ad links listed along the right side---this opens up a second google window, which I can then use to do a google search while leaving my original gmail window open.1 Comment Add a comment
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XiXi, a creative workaround, indeed! However, I'll admit that as a contrarian, I'm not likely to help feed someone's AdSense account unless I'm really interested in what they are selling -- and that is seldom the case. ;-)
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Inappropriate?I started a petition to bring the Search the Web button back. You can find it at http://www.petitiononline.com/cgi-bin...
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Inappropriate?This is terrible. I hate it. I don't know what to do. I have been trying to figure out what I did! I've been trying to refigure settings and so on.
Why on earth would they remove the search web option.
It is so inconvenient--I type in what I want to search about...and then I have to go to search web and start anew.
why oh why?
Has anyone from Google addressed this?
I can't imagine any users being happy with this new development.
Joan Levine
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Inappropriate?Wonderful news: The Button is back! The Button works! hOSANNA! gLORIA IN eXCELSIS Deo!
God bless the Good Ship Google and all who sail in her -- in an unusual reversal and almost one month to the day since they removed it, Google has restored the Search the Web option to Gmail.
Never let it be said that a respectful, organized, persistent, (mostly) intelligent protest by subscribers won't make a difference.
Thank you, G-folk, for hearing us out and considering our comments and our needs. Likewise, thanks to the Gmail subscribers who spoke up, wrote out, and bumped, bumped, bumped ;-)
Big thanks, too, go to Scott Wilson (Google Gone Bonkers), Steve Rubel (Making Gmail Your Gateway to the Web), CNET, GetSatisfaction.com, SearchEngineWatch, and a host of bloggers across the web who helped get the word out.
Choukrane! Merci! Danke! Gracias!
I’m ecstatic and thankful!
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