In short
Chrome's site search shortcuts are built in. According to Chrome Help (as of September 2026), you add them in Chrome's settings under Search engine → Manage search engines and site search: a name, a shortcut, and a URL with %s where the query goes. Type the shortcut, then your words, and Chrome searches that site. Nothing to install, and they are made for searching.
Wyrd is a Chrome extension for keywords that get you to the page you mean in one word: a keyword can open a plain page, search with %s, fill several blanks, stand in for another keyword, open several pages at once, or bring back a bundle of tabs, and a household or team can share one list. If you only search a handful of sites, Chrome's own feature may be all you need.
Side by side
| Chrome site search shortcuts | Wyrd | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Part of Chrome's settings | A Chrome extension |
| What you type | The shortcut, then your words | >, Space, the keyword; or no prefix at all once Wyrd is your default search |
| Searches a site | Yes, with %s in the URL | Yes, with %s in the address |
| Opens a plain page | Made for searching, with %s where the query goes | Yes: a keyword can be just an address, or a tel: link |
| Several blanks in one address | One %s | %1 to %9, one word each (> jira PROJ 123) |
| Several pages from one entry | One URL per entry | Yes, addresses separated by | |
| Aliases and sub-keywords | Each entry stands alone | @library aliases, and sub-keywords such as dentist/call |
| Finding a forgotten one | The list in Chrome's settings | Suggestions by description, category and typos; the Keywords page (> /home) |
| The same words for a household or team | Each person adds their own | Shared lists from a Google Sheet, GitHub or any https file, refreshed every 6 hours; invite links to subscribe |
| Between your computers | Chrome sync | Chrome sync, for keywords and settings |
| Cost | Part of Chrome | Free for individuals, friends and family |
Which to choose
Choose Wyrd if…
- you want words that open pages, not only searches;
- your addresses need more than one blank, like a project and a number;
- you want aliases, sub-keywords or one word for several pages;
- a household or a team should type the same keywords from one list;
- you want to put tabs away and bring them back by name.
Choose Chrome site search if…
- you mainly search a few sites and want nothing to install;
- you like Chrome's built-in shortcuts for your bookmarks, history and tabs next to your own entries;
- you prefer to keep everything in Chrome's own settings.
Questions
- Can I use Wyrd and Chrome site search shortcuts together?
- Yes. Your Chrome shortcuts keep working. Wyrd's no-prefix mode is itself an entry in the same Chrome settings: add Wyrd's private search address there and make it the default, and your Wyrd keywords work without the >.
- Does Wyrd change my search engine?
- No, not unless you choose to. By default you type > before a keyword and Chrome's search engine stays as it is; anything that is not a keyword goes to your usual web search.
- Can Wyrd import my Chrome site search shortcuts?
- Not directly. Wyrd imports keywords from a JSON or CSV file with keyword, address, description and category columns, so your entries can be copied across by hand or through a spreadsheet.
Want to try it step by step? Search any website from the address bar shows Chrome's site search and a Wyrd keyword side by side, with screenshots.
Checked September 2026, against Chrome Help. Features change; check Chrome's own help for what your version offers. GoLinks, Trotto, OneTab, Session Buddy, Toby and Chrome are trademarks of their respective owners. Wyrd is independent and not affiliated with them. More: keyword syntax, search without the prefix, all alternatives.
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