Keyboard shortcuts for Google Search, Bing and DuckDuckGo

Mastering search engine keyboard shortcuts on platforms like Google, Bing, and DuckDuckGo can save you valuable time and increase productivity. While these shortcuts may vary slightly across different search engines, they all help streamline navigation and browsing. Here’s a comprehensive guide to essential keyboard shortcuts for Google, Bing, and DuckDuckGo.

Why Use Keyboard Shortcuts for Search Engines?

Keyboard shortcuts make it easy to navigate through search results and switch between actions without moving your hands from the keyboard. They’re especially valuable for frequent users, researchers, and anyone looking to save time. From conducting quick searches to opening results in new tabs, these shortcuts make it all possible with minimal effort.

Keyboard shortcuts for Google Search, Bing, and DuckDuckGo

Here is a Quick Reference Cheat Sheet for all the shortcuts we know for Google, Bing, and DuckDuckGo.

1] Google Search Shortcuts

Let’s start with Google’s search shortcuts, which make it easy to initiate and browse searches.

Basic Shortcuts for Conducting a Search

1. Focus on the Search Box: /
   • What it does: Focuses on the search bar, allowing you to start a new search.
2. Submit Search Query: Enter
   • What it does: Runs the search for the current query.

Navigation Shortcuts

1. Next Result: j
   • What it does: Moves to the next result.
2. Previous Result: k
   • What it does: Moves to the previous result.
3. Open Selected Result: o or Enter
   • What it does: Opens the selected result.
4. Open Selected Result in New Tab: Cmd (or Ctrl) + Enter
   • What it does: Opens the result in a new tab.

Quick Action Shortcuts

1. Find Text on Page: Cmd (or Ctrl) + F
   • What it does: Allows you to search for specific words on the page.
2. Highlight the URL Bar: Cmd (or Ctrl) + L
   • What it does: Highlights the URL bar to copy or change the URL.

2] Bing Search Shortcuts

Bing’s shortcuts focus on a similar navigation and result-browsing experience, with a few unique additions that make it easier to browse search results.

Basic Search Shortcuts

1. Focus on the Search Box: Ctrl + E
   • What it does: Focuses on the search bar to start a new search.
2. Submit Search Query: Enter
   • What it does: Runs the current search query.

Navigation Shortcuts

1. Next Result: ↓ (Down Arrow)
   • What it does: Moves to the next search result.
2. Previous Result: ↑ (Up Arrow)
   • What it does: Moves to the previous search result.
3. Open Selected Result: Enter
   • What it does: Opens the selected result.
4. Open Selected Result in New Tab: Cmd (or Ctrl) + Enter
   • What it does: Opens the result in a new tab.

Other Useful Shortcuts

1. Highlight the URL Bar: Cmd (or Ctrl) + L
   • What it does: Highlights the URL bar, useful for entering new queries or copying the URL.
2. Scroll Down: Spacebar
   • What it does: Scrolls down the page without needing a mouse.
3. Scroll Up: Shift + Spacebar
   • What it does: Scrolls up the page, allowing you to easily navigate long pages of results.

3] DuckDuckGo Search Shortcuts

DuckDuckGo is privacy-focused and uses a different interface, with shortcuts designed to maximize efficiency.

Basic Search Shortcuts

1. Focus on the Search Box: /
   • What it does: Focuses on the search bar, letting you enter a new query.
2. Submit Search Query: Enter
   • What it does: Runs the search for the current query.

Navigation Shortcuts

1. Next Result: j or ↓ (Down Arrow)
   • What it does: Moves to the next result.
2. Previous Result: k or ↑ (Up Arrow)
   • What it does: Moves to the previous result.
3. Open Selected Result: Enter
   • What it does: Opens the selected result.
4. Open Selected Result in New Tab: Cmd (or Ctrl) + Enter
   • What it does: Opens the result in a new tab.

Other Useful Shortcuts

1. Bang Commands: Type ! followed by a site shortcut (e.g., !w for Wikipedia) to search directly on a specific site.
   • Example: !yt cats searches “cats” on YouTube.
2. Toggle Dark Mode: Alt + D
   • What it does: Quickly toggles DuckDuckGo’s dark mode, a useful feature for late-night browsing.
3. Find Text on Page: Cmd (or Ctrl) + F
   • What it does: Helps locate specific words or phrases on the page.

Final Thoughts: Streamline Your Searches

Getting comfortable with these shortcuts will make searching across Google, Bing, and DuckDuckGo seamless and efficient. You’ll find yourself moving through search results faster, comparing information quickly, and spending less time clicking around.

So, the next time you’re in search mode, try incorporating these shortcuts—over time, they’ll become second nature, making your search experience faster, easier, and more productive.