Google Programmable Search Administration

Creating a new search engine

Instead of creating a new search engine from scratch, it is faster to create one from a context file. There is one in the GitHub repo named cse.xml.

A context file can be uploaded in the Advanced tab under 'Search engine context'.

> Context: Defining a Programmable Search Engine on Google

Hiding Ads

To hide ads on the search results page, a Google Workspace / G-Suite superadmin must be added in the search engine Users tab and set as Administrator. Within a few days of doing so, Google will recognize the search engine as part of a non-profit / education institution. When that happens, the Show Ads toggle in the Ads tab can be switched to 'off'.

> Information for non-profits on Google

Promotions

Google is very tempermental with regard to promotions. If you attempt to manage them using the Google Programmable Search admin interface, things may get mixed up, particularly the order in which they appear. Because we have sooooo many, it's important to maintain order so that any particular promotion is more easily findable.

Deleting a promotion

This in the only use case where it is safe to use the Google Programmable Search admin interface. Delete away!

Adding / modifying a promotion

Do not use the Google Programmable Search admin interface for these tasks. Instead....

1. Export a promotions.xml file in the Promotions tab of the Search Features area.
2. Make the desired edits to the xml file offline
3. Upload the modified file

Promotion attributes

Note: all attribute values require special character to be encoded (e.g., & instead of &)