Manage updates with the Download AppCNET Editors' note: The Download Now link will prompt a local download of the Firefox extension. To install the extension directly, open the file using your Firefox browser.
CNET Editors' review
Save time when you surf with this smart add-on that offers further recommendations based on your searches. We found its recommendations very helpful.
The program's Options menu allows you to enable specific search engines, such as Google, Yahoo, MSN, and Craigslist. You can also choose the maximum number of recommendations (up to five) for the program to fetch. A tiny bull's-eye icon appears next to each search result and it leads to a list of recommendations. Each recommendation was valid and relevant to the test searches we conducted. We could even drill down within the recommendations to keep refining our search.
Basically, this program weeds through of all the useless search results and can save you valuable time. Best of all, there's no charge for this effective and useful Firefox add-on.
Publisher's Description
From Surf Canyon:
Surf Canyon for Firefox is a tiny browser extension that helps you find relevant information buried in the search results on Google, Yahoo, MSN Live search, or Craigslist. By observing real-time actions (no profiles or histories required), it figures out what you want and then goes and fetches it for you, significantly accelerating the search process.
What's new in this version: Version 3.4.3 is a bug fix release.
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All versions:
3.7 starsout of 12 votes
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Current version:
0 stars Be the first to review this product -
My rating:
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"Obviously Malware"
Version: Surf Canyon for Firefox 3.3.3
Pros
None - it's very dodgy.
Cons
Can't get rid of it. An invasive, useless and nasty little piece of malware which downloaded without permission and which I have been unable to remove completely from my computer. Avoid at all costs. Shame on CNet for their 5 star review
Summary
Avoid.
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"Beware - Installs Without Permission"
Version: Surf Canyon for Firefox 3.3.3
Pros
none that i know of
Cons
this software somehow got onto my PC. i didn't install it, and i wasn't asked if it was ok to install it. I'm pretty careful about those sorts of things. if the software works, i can't say, but one thing is clear, they're doing something illegal.
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"Doesn't do what I need it to do"
Version: Surf Canyon for Firefox 3.2
Pros
None that I can think of
Cons
Doesn't do what I need it to do
Summary
I'm looking for something that will search all of Craigslist. This isn't it.
It was a PITN to install - I had to download, click on it, then restart Firefox, thereby losing all my logins - and then when Firefox reopened all it did was bring up a Craigslist page which looked just like it always does except that pictures were showing. I guess if that helps you then go ahead and install it. But it didn't help me. And since I don't need whatever other enhanced search features it has I didn't bother checking into those. I'll add this to my ever-growing list of "5-minute download-install-uninstall"s. -
"It's Exciting"
Version: Surf Canyon for Firefox 3.0.4
Pros
There is a whole universe of useful information beyond the first page of your search results and Surf Canyon takes you there
Cons
None It's fresh It's useful It's easy What is not to like?
Summary
I uninstalled Surf Canyon about two weeks ago to do some maintainance on my computer. I answered the questions about why I was removing it. I explained that I
was reinstalling it soon and then I took the time to tell them how much I liked their product. I got a nice e-mail back about how they appreciated my kind words and how much it boosted their morale. I feel that for the internet to reach it's full potential we have to give the non brand names a shot. There are some truly brilliant, creative,beautiful minds out there and when we limit ourselves to the name brands we hurt ourselves and our fellow man by denying him or her the chance to show you what they can do. I do not want my grandchildren growing up with google search as their only choice. So I looked elsewhere and it feels quite good to support and have the chance to offer suggestions it give you a sense of taking part in the internet rather than just using it. It's a new and exciting adventure when a company like Surf Canyon responds to your e-mail with more than just an obligatory response
I have no regrets using Surf Canyon as my main search engine and since I got off my lazy butt the show my appreciation I have a sense of involvement. So take this for what it is worth -
"Undisclosed Sponsors Hijack Search Results"
Version: Surf Canyon for Firefox 3.0
Pros
Rearranges and re-orders search results interspersing "sponsor" results without disclosing that they're paid or distinguishing them. Whether it makes Google results "better" strikes me as an open question.
Cons
Paid sponsor interference with order of Google search results, eliminating the neutrality of Google to benefit those who can afford to pay for higher placement.
Summary
Techcrunch.com, which maybe I'm wrong but I consider a reliable source, says of Search Canyon as well as an apparently similar app called ManagedQ: "[N]either one comes close to offering a better overall search experience than Google does on its own.
Belated thanks for your belated response. But please note it's misleading to say the least to respond to a review almost three years after it was written with a comment stating that the article I quoted was four years old. If you've made progress, great, but you show a lack of integrity by denying the accuracy of a review that was (at minimum) accurate when written.
"Surf Canyon is an application that sits on top of regular search results....(Google doesn?t like it when other Websites re-order its search rankings, but Surf Canyon doesn?t rely on Google?s APIs to do what it does and thus feels that it is not bound by Google?s restrictions)."
The Search Canyon company itself, as quoted in the Crunchbase.com company profiles section, states, among other things: "The [Search Canyon] technology is...suited for targeting sponsored links, benefiting both users and advertisers."
It's certainly clear that advertisers benefit, but I'm dubious that users benefit from this paid sponsor interference with their search results.
Updated on May 8, 2013
Again, I do appreciate your response, even three years after my review was written. No objections to that. Just please keep it honest. -
"works as reviews said it would"
Version: Surf Canyon for Firefox 3.0
Pros
works well
Cons
none that i know of
Summary
use it
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"Excellent and very useful addition"
Version: Surf Canyon for Firefox 3.0
Pros
Useful extra help for web searches.
Cons
None that I'm aware of.
Summary
Get it! Few freebies are so good.
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"Easy to understand and useful!"
Version: Surf Canyon for Firefox 1.0.1
Pros
Once I have found one result I like, I'm done! Surf Canyon finds the rest for me automatically.
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"What an improvement to searching! It's fast, EASY and convenient! Finally!"
Version: Surf Canyon for Firefox 1.0.1
Pros
I really like how once you download the software, you can still go to Google, Yahoo or wherever and do your searching. Only once you have Surf Canyon, the searching is so much EASIER! Instead of pouring through countless pages of the wrong information, Surf Canyon will find EXACTLY what I'm looking for and sort it all out for me. It's GREAT!
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"Very Good!!"
Version: Surf Canyon for Firefox 1.0.1
Pros
simple and usefull
Cons
nothing
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