How to Add Custom Buttons to the Google Toolbar

With specialized search engines, instant messaging, discussion groups and a variety of other services, Google is much more than just a search engine. The plethora of products and handy programs that are available are changing the way people use the Internet. The Google Toolbar operates conveniently within your browser and makes surfing and searching easier and more efficient. You can even personalize your toolbar by adding custom buttons that let you access and search your favorite sites with just one click.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Google Buttons Gallery
• Internet connection
• Operating system: Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows ME or Windows 98
• Latest version of Internet Explorer or Firefox
• Google Toolbar

Adding Custom Buttons

1. Click Add Buttons on your Google Toolbar—you’ll find it to the right of the search field. You will be directed to a Google Web page which contains a variety of buttons you can add to your toolbar.

2. Click the links on the left side of the window to open categories of buttons in which you are interested. There is an enormous variety of buttons available, including blogs, entertainment, job searches, local and international news, finance, recipes, reference sites, shopping, sports, technology and travel.

3. Use the search function on the custom button pages to locate custom buttons quickly if you have something specific in mind.

4. Add buttons to your toolbar by clicking the Add to Toolbar button displayed underneath the custom button you’d like to add. Once you have added the button to your toolbar, clicking it will take you directly to the homepage of the related Web site.

5. Use custom buttons to search Web sites by first typing your search terms into the search field. As you are typing, you will see a small magnifying glass icon appear on your custom buttons. While this magnifying glass is displayed, clicking on a custom button will search the related Web site using the search terms you have typed.

Removing Custom Buttons

6. Click the Settings button on the toolba,r then choose the Manage option.

7. Select the Buttons tab. Your custom buttons will be displayed in the lower half of the window.

8. Remove a custom button from your toolbar by unchecking the box next to the button.

9. Uninstall the button completely by selecting the button then clicking the Remove option at the right of the window.

10. Click OK to save your changes and exit the window when finished.

Tips & Warnings

• Note that the custom button feature is only available for use in Internet Explorer—you cannot add custom buttons to your Google Toolbar if you use the Firefox browser. With Firefox, what you see in the Options menu is all you get.