Introduction
Many people rely on search engines when conducting research.
However, search results can be a mixed bag, ranging from genuinely useful resources to ad-laden, low-quality sites.
I’ve shared techniques for finding the gems amidst the clutter in Struggling with “Just Google It” Advice.
But how do we filter out the junk from the results?
Let me introduce a tool I personally use.
About uBlacklist
uBlacklist is a browser extension that filters search engine results.
While the official site provides a comprehensive explanation, I’ll offer a brief introduction here to save you time.
It allows you to hide specified web pages from search results.
This extension is available for Chrome, Firefox, and Safari.
Since most modern browsers are based on Chromium, it works with a wide variety of browsers. For example, I use Vivaldi, a Chromium-based browser.
I was able to install Chrome extensions on Vivaldi, so it’s safe to say it should work on most browsers.
How to Install
- For Chrome or Chromium-based browsers, visit the Chrome Web Store.
- For Firefox or Firefox-based browsers, go to the Add-ons page.
Setting Up Subscriptions (The Main Part)
Simply installing uBlacklist isn’t enough—it won’t be effective until you block specific sites.
Fortunately, some generous experts have shared “subscription lists.”
You can find various subscription lists on the official list page, but here are a few recommendations:
Note: This article is written with a Japanese audience in mind, so some of the recommended subscriptions may not be as useful for English speakers. Consider reviewing the filters carefully to ensure they suit your needs.
uBlacklist GitHub Translation
A filter that blocks sites that simply machine-translate GitHub content, such as READMEs, Issues, or Pull Requests.
If you’re using Chrome or a Chromium-based browser, you can subscribe via this shortcut.
uBlacklist Stack Overflow Translation
A filter that blocks sites that merely machine-translate Stack Overflow content.
Chrome or Chromium users can subscribe via this shortcut.
uBlacklistRule
This filter blocks a wide range of low-quality content, such as copy-paste sites or those without proper titles.
It’s particularly effective at filtering spam-like, auto-generated sites.
Chrome or Chromium users can subscribe via this shortcut.
ublacklist-programming-school
This filter blocks low-quality sites, such as programming school advertisements or referral pages with heavy advertising.
Chrome or Chromium users can subscribe via this shortcut.
Conclusion
By setting up these filters, you’ll likely notice an immediate improvement in the quality of your search results.
I hope this helps enhance your search efficiency!