Technical guides for IT
This guide explains how an IT administrator can set Ecosia as the default search engine across a network of computers.
If you are configuring Ecosia for over 2,000 machines and would like to receive a monthly report or run a trial with us, please apply here.
In this guide you will find:
- How to configure Ecosia using a Windows group policy
- How to configure Ecosia using a Windows group policy Edge
- How to configure Ecosia using a Windows group policy Chrome
- How to configure Ecosia using a Windows group policy Firefox
- How to configure Ecosia in the Google Workspace
- How to implement a reporting code
Windows group policy
If you already use GPOs to control browser settings, please skip to Step 3
Download the relevant ADMX and ADML files for each browser:
Copy the ADMX and ADML files to your central store.
Local: %systemroot%\policyDefinitions (normally C:\Windows\policyDefinitions) Domain: %systemroot%\sysvol\domain\policies\PolicyDefinitions (normally C:\Windows\sysvol\domain\policies\PolicyDefinitions)
See here for more information about creating a central store for your browser GPOs.
Login to your domain controller and open the Group Policy administration tool. You can start the group policy editor by typing "gpedit.msc" into the Windows command bar.
Navigate to the group policy rule that controls the browser you wish to configure, right click and click on “edit”.
Depending on the target of your policy LOCAL_MACHINE
OR CURRENT_USER
, expand either Computer Configuration
OR User Configuration
Scroll to the browser you wish to configure: Edge, Chrome, Firefox
Microsoft Edge
Navigate to Administrative Templates → Microsoft Edge → Default search provider
Configure the following settings;
Setting | Task |
“Enable the default search provider” | Set this to "Enabled" |
“Default search provider keyword” |
Set this to "Enabled" and enter the following value: ecosia.org |
“Default search provider name” | Enter the following value: Ecosia |
“Default search provider search URL” |
Set this to "Enabled" and enter the following value: https://www.ecosia.org/search?q={searchTerms}&addon=edgegpo |
Next, navigate to Start up, Home and New Tab page → New tab page URL
Configure the following settings;
Setting | Task |
“New tab page URL” | Set this to "Enabled" and enter the following value: https://www.ecosia.org/newtab/?&addon=edgegpo |
Within Edge’s GPO you have the option to set Ecosia as the default search engine and configure a list of alternative search engines for end users to choose from, using the “ MangedSearchEngines” GPO rule.
Chrome
Navigate to → Administrative Templates → Google Chrome → Default search provider
Setting | Task |
“Enable the default search provider” | Set this to "Enabled" (must be enabled for other options to take effect) |
“Default search provider icon” | Set this to "Enabled" and enter the following value: https://cdn-static.ecosia.org/static/icons/favicon.ico |
“Default search provider keyword” | Set this to Enabled and enter the following value: ecosia.org |
“Default search provider name” | Set this to Enabled and enter the following value: Ecosia |
“Default search provider search url” | Set this to Enabled and enter the following value: https://www.ecosia.org/search?q={searchTerms}&addon=chromegpo |
“Default search provider new tab page url” | Set this to Enabled and enter the following value: https://www.ecosia.org/newtab/?&addon=chromegpo |
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|
The ADMX files provided by Google have limited flexibility. You have the option of switching on/off the default search provider and you can only provide one search engine as the default. It is not possible to offer multiple search engines options using Google’s ADMX file.
-
Navigate to → Administrative Templates → Firefox → Search
-
Configure the following settings;
-
Setting Task "Default search engine" Set this to "Enabled" and enter the following value:
ecosia.org
“Search Engine One” Set this option to "Enabled" and enter the following values:
Name:ecosia.org
URL Template:
https://www.ecosia.org/search?q={searchTerms}&addon=firefoxgpo
Method:GET
Icon URL:
https://cdn-static.ecosia.org/static/icons/favicon.ico
Description:
Ecosia search engine
-
Tip Within Firefox’s GPO you have the option to set Ecosia as the default search engine and configure a list of up to 5 alternative search engines for end users to choose from, using the available GPO rules.
- 6
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Ensure that you have the GPO rule linked to your domain and that you have specified the user groups/OU’s that this rule applies to.
In order for the GPO rules to take immediate effect, you may need to open a CMD window and type
gpupdate/force
to apply the settings on the end users devices. Otherwise the new GPO settings will apply after a reboot. -
Firefox
Configure Ecosia in Google Workspace
Login to the Admin Console.
Create a new "organization unit" of managed browsers and "enroll" the users that you wish to configure Ecosia for.
Go to Devices → Managed Browser → Settings → User & browser → Omnibox search provider
Configure the following settings;
Setting | Task |
“Omnibox search provider name” | Enter the following value: Ecosia |
“Omnibox search provider keyword” | Set this to "Enabled" and enter the following value ecosia.org |
“Omnibox search provider search URL” | Set this to "Enabled" and enter the following value: https://www.ecosia.org/search?q={searchTerms}&addon=gsuite |
“Omnibox search provider icon URL” | https://cdn-static.ecosia.org/static/icons/favicon.ico |
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Next go to Devices → Managed Browser → Settings → User & browser → Start up
Configure the following settings;
“New tab URL” | Enter the following value: https://www.ecosia.org/newtab/?&addon=chromegpo |
See here for more information on configuring an Omnibox default search provider.
The Chrome admin console has limited flexibility. You have the option of switching on/off the default search provider and you can only provide one search engine as the default. It is not possible to offer multiple search engines options using Chrome's admin console.
How to implement a reporting code
To receive a monthly report to help you track your impact with Ecosia, please complete this form to register for a unique reporting code. Please note that submissions are subject to a due diligence review and must meet a minimum threshold of 2,000 devices.
Should your application be successful you will receive a unique 7 digit reporting code via email.
This reporting code must be implemented at the end of the search query URL of the GPO as follows;
&tt=xxxxxx
For example, in the Chrome GPO the search query URL would be:
https://www.ecosia.org/search?q={searchTerms}&addon=chromegpo&tt=xxxxxxx
Replace “xxxxxxx” with the reporting code provided to you by Ecosia.
Contact support@ecosia.org to tell us once you have implemented the reporting code in the GPO and we will be on hand to confirm we’re tracking your impact and schedule your monthly email reports.
If you have any questions about the information in this guide, get in touch via email or through the chat bot by selecting “business or partnership inquiry” and we’ll be happy to help.