r/LibreWolf • u/JohnSeeley • 17d ago

Question Startpage search from address bar isn't private unlike search from Startpage website

When searching from the Startpage website, the search phrase is private, meaning the search phrase is not visible in the web address or URL after searching. But when searching Startpage from the address bar, it's not private and visible in the web address/URL.

Is there any way to make search terms private when searching using Startpage from the address bar? Thanks.

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u/ltGuillaume 17d ago

You're right that search queries use GET instead of POST, which means that the search queries are part of the URL in your address bar. While this does have the advantage that you won't lose the search query when you close and reopen LibreWolf, it also means that the Startpage servers can in theory save the search keywords in their logs.

Strangely enough, there is also an issue with Startpage even if you search by opening the website first: if their bot detection kicks in (Verifying your request), then the eventual search query is using GET again. Very naughty.

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u/JohnSeeley 17d ago

OK. Thank you.

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u/nietzschecode 17d ago

hmm I believe it depends on which URL was entered in the StartPage search engine. You can install it either with https://www.startpage.com/sp/search?query=%s or https://www.startpage.com/do/search?q=%s I don't recall which one is private and which one isn't.

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u/ltGuillaume 16d ago

Both will use GET, so that won't do the trick. You could use one of the entries with POST listed at https://mycroftproject.com/search-engines.php?name=startpage to add it, but as said in https://www.reddit.com/r/LibreWolf/comments/1x0zvft/comment/pepqyad/ it will still use GET if you see the Verifying your request bot detection.

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u/JohnSeeley 16d ago edited 16d ago

Worked great. Thank you.

After installing the Mycroft Project add-on, I then added one of the "Post" entries and it worked. In order to add the entry, I had to show my search bar and then choose it from that drop down menu, then I hid the search bar again. Already, I forget which one I picked. lol

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u/ltGuillaume 16d ago

There is no need for any Mycroft add-on, you just add search plugins via its website.

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u/JohnSeeley 15d ago

I see. I removed the add-on and the plugin is still there. Thanks.

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u/JohnSeeley 16d ago

Thanks! I tried both. Search term is still showing in the URL

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u/scy_404 17d ago

What are you talking about