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I have been using LaunchBar since version 3 (as of now, version 5 RC4) and one of the features I like is being able to run search from its simple interface.

After activating LaunchBar (with simple Control-Space key combination), I enter ‘goog’ (short for Google search) and press Enter key. Type your search terms and LaunchBar opens a search result in Safari (or your default web browser).

You can even add your own search template so that you can perform search on your favorite online forum.

For example, I added new search templates for Google Blog Search, MacPorts, Github and MSDN.

Search MacPorts

URL: http://trac.macports.org/search?q=*&noquickjump=1&portsummarysearch=on&ticket=on&changeset=on&milestone=on&wiki=on
Encoding: UTF-8

Search Github

URL = http://github.com/search?q=*&type=Everything&repo=&langOverride=&start_value=1
Encoding = UTF-8

Google Blog Search

URL = http://blogsearch.google.com/blogsearch?hl=en&ie=UTF-8&q=*&btnG=Search+Blogs
Encoding = UTF-8

Search Objective Development Forum

URL = http://forums.obdev.at/search.php?keywords=*
Encoding = UTF-8

Search MSDN

URL = http://social.msdn.microsoft.com/search/en-us/?query=*
Encoding = UTF-8

To add your own search template:

1. Open your LaunchBar Index (select Index -> Show Index).
2. Select Search Templates (UTF-8) from left column.
3. Add a new search template by clicking ‘Add…’ button and enter name and URL.
4. Update index and you’ll start performing search faster immediately.

For more complete information on Search Templates and instructions, use LaunchBar Help. Also, for more search templates, go have a look at Objective Development Forums – LaunchBar Search Templates.

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