Frequently asked questions
Bang search shortcuts, browser setup, and how TurboSearch works
What are bang search shortcuts?
Bang search shortcuts (or 'bangs') are quick commands that let you search directly on specific websites. Instead of going to Google and typing 'site:youtube.com cats', you can simply type '!yt cats' and get redirected directly to YouTube search results.
How do I use TurboSearch?
Simply type your search with a bang prefix. For example: '!g react tutorial' will search Google for 'react tutorial', '!yt music' will search YouTube for 'music', and '!gi cats' will search Google Images for 'cats'.
What bang shortcuts are available?
TurboSearch supports more than 13,571 shortcuts, including !g (Google), !yt (YouTube), !gi (Google Images), !w (Wikipedia), !a (Amazon), !r (Reddit), !tw (Twitter), and thousands more across the wider web.
How do I set up TurboSearch in my browser?
Copy the URL 'https://turbosearch.link/?q=%s' and add it as a search engine in your browser settings. Replace '%s' with your browser's search placeholder (usually %s or {searchTerms}).
Is TurboSearch free to use?
Yes, TurboSearch is completely free to use. There are no hidden costs, subscriptions, or premium features.
How fast is TurboSearch?
TurboSearch is designed around instant redirects, cache-friendly responses, and compact lookup assets. That keeps the path from query to destination extremely short.
Does TurboSearch cache anything locally?
The redirect path stays server-first, but the homepage can lazily cache the searchable bang catalog in your browser for faster repeat visits. That cache is versioned so it can refresh cleanly when the catalog changes.
Can I use TurboSearch without bangs?
Yes! If you search without a bang prefix (like just 'react tutorial'), TurboSearch will redirect you to Google search by default.
Where do bang shortcuts come from?
Bang shortcuts were originally popularized by DuckDuckGo and have become a standard way to quickly search across different websites. TurboSearch maintains a comprehensive database of these shortcuts.