Is it possible to disable Google Universal Search (not see videos & images in results)?

Question

In 2007 Google introduced Universal Search (sometimes called blended search), and started including images and videos in the regular search results page.

I don't want to see those results. I know how to click the videos or images link at the top of the page and if I enter text in the search box it is because I am looking only for text.

It used to be possible to do a search at Google.com/custom to get the old-style simple search results page, but that link now results in an error:

your computer or network may be sending automated queries

No results are given.

Is there any way to go back to the simple text-only Google results page?

It would be preferable to do it by manipulating the query string so that I can replace my default search engine with simplified results.

Answer 1

I found an elegant solution to this problem using Google Custom Search.

To see the result in action, go to this custom search engine.

To set up your own version, go to google.com/cse and:

1. click "create a custom search engine"

2. put whatever you want on the setup page, but use a nonexistent url for the "sites to search" box

3. click "next" twice (change the look if you like)

4. click on the link "change the basics" under "next steps"

5. at the bottom of the "basics" page, check "search the entire web but emphasize included sites"

6. uncheck "Show automatic thumbnail"

7. save changes

8. click on the name of your search engine at the top of the "basics" page to use it.

To use your search in a URL (to replace your existing search engine):

http://www.google.com/cse?cx=000628392187335527771:2-d3w-aefr4&q=searchterms

You'll need to replace the cx variable with the value from your own custom search engine and replace "searchterms" with %s or whatever you usually use in your URL to indicate keyword placement.