Both of those questions can be made simple by taking keywords into account. Keywords – or nicknames as Opera calls them – are user-assigned characters or phrases that can be used as an alternative to entering a site’s full URL into the Address Bar. Once the user assigns a keyword to a specific bookmark in his browser he can simply type that keyword and the browser loads the associated bookmark. Search engines can also have keywords associated with them, which are used in conjunction with the search terms. For instance, it is possible to assign the keyword “g” to Google Search. A search can thereafter be performed by entering g <search-terms> in the Address Bar of the web browser.

Which browsers support keywords?

• Firefox: Supports keywords for bookmarks and searches
• Opera: Supports keywords for bookmarks and searches
• Google Chrome: Supports keywords for searches
• Internet Explorer: Does not support keywords

Configuring and using keywords in Mozilla Firefox

The easiest way to configure and edit keywords in Firefox is to right-click a bookmark and select the properties option from the context menu.

This opens the properties dialogue of the selected bookmark. From here it is possible to change the name and location of the bookmark, as well as to add tags, a keyword and a description. The keyword must be a unique identifier, as it will point to exactly one bookmark. If identical keywords are configured for more than one bookmark, then only the first bookmark with the keyword will be opened. It is possible to use any combination of UTF-8 characters for each keyword. Entering the keyword in the Firefox address bar after configuration will immediately open the website it was assigned for. There is no need to restart the web browser.

Keywords for search engines are configured by left-clicking the search engine selection icon in the search bar and then opening the Manage Search Engines entries in the menu. This displays a list of all search engines that are currently configured in Firefox. Selecting one with the left mouse button and then Edit Keyword will open a small prompt with the option to edit or add a keyword for that search engine.

The keyword, followed by a search phrase, can then be entered in the address bar in Firefox to search for that keyword on the selected search engine.

Configuring and using nicknames in Opera

The principle in Opera is basically the same as in Firefox, with the distinction that keywords are called nicknames in Opera. All nicknames can be configured in the Bookmark Manager in the web browser.

The easiest way to open the bookmarks manager in Opera is to press [Ctr][Shift][B]. Right-clicking on a bookmark then selecting Properties opens a configuration menu where nicknames can be added to the selected bookmarks.

The search engines are also accessible in the bookmarks manager. A nickname is assigned to every search engine that ships with the browser. Here it is possible to change those nicknames.

Configuring and using keywords in Google Chrome

Google Chrome does not support keywords for bookmarks, however it does support them for search engines. The easiest way to edit the keywords of search engines in Google Chrome is to right-click the address bar and select to edit the search engines.

This opens all configured search engines and their designated keywords in a new window. The domain name is the default keyword for all search engines. This can be changed by selecting a search engine and clicking the Edit button.

Keywords are especially useful for users who do not display a search bar in Firefox or Opera, but are also useful for users who prefer to access frequently-used URLs by typing as few characters as possible. Web Browser Keywords can speed up web surfing and searching quite a bit.

I have been using Opera for a very long time but did not know what the so called Nickname feature for Bookmarks was all about. I’ve been ignoring them or filling them with nonsenses until I understood what they are for and how useful they can be. I wouldn’t mention it if I wasn’t concerned there’re still many of you who have never taken advantage of this feature, especially if you are new to using Opera.

A nickname can either be one char or a string of your choice. By choosing unique nicknames wisely you can assign a shortcut to each of your bookmarks or only to the ones you use most often.

Then it’s really easy to access them with few keystrokes. For example, I have assigned the “tv” nickname to a TV guide website and now when I need to know what’s on I press F2 type tv and that’s it. Pressing F2 gives focus to Opera’s “commandline” but you can also use Ctrl+T, F8 or whatever else for it. It’s like using Launchy for URLs.

It is also possible to simple enter the nickname in the address bar and load it that way. The same feature is available in firefox as well only named keyword in there.

Don’t underestimate the power of shortcuts and avoid typing long URLs. It’s also useful for people who want to use keyboard for surfing more than mouse.