Can't Search Mac for Folders Located in the Google Drive Folder

Did you drag and drop the Google Drive folder into the System Preferences > Spotlight > Privacy panel and then [ - ] remove it so Spotlight would index it (if it can at all)? Google may be at fault too.

This previous discussion

Google Drive "open with" not showing loca… - Apple Community

included:

"On another post about Spotlight and Google Drive, it was noted that their preferences changed from Mirror to Sync, so none of the files were actually stored on the drive, just whatever placeholder they use. It may be that placeholder doesn't advertise the correct file type for the original file stored on the server along with it not providing the necessary metadata for Spotlight to index."

I tried this and it did not fix the issue. It still takes a VERY long time to search anything when using the finder to search for things stored on Google Drive. This was really fast prior to the update so I'm assuming the most recent update is the cause, not Google. Also, there is a new folder on the side of the finder called "localhost" which if you click on it, Google Drive is listed on it. If you eject it, Google Drive shuts off.

yup. Same here.

I have solved it by using the GoogleDrive folder which is located in the Network / local host folder (green box) and NOT using the folder that Google creates (red box). Its slower than a regular search in Finder but it works

Your finder or Spotlight should search again now!

It is well known and has been widely commented the problem that Apple finder has in communicating with Google Drive for desktop (DFD). You would search for anything in DFD using the finder or spotlight and nothing would come up...until now. DFD version 60.0 fixed that, just go to preferences and check the "Enable Spotlight to search streaming files" checkbox, voila! and automatically spotlight starts indexing the DFD. So it wasn’t your finder, it was DFD.

Also note that this solution is for streaming files, not mirror files, which reside on your computer and not in the DFD cloud.

NOTE: My only intention is to help with my modest effort to those who might have the same problem.

I have a similar problem after upgrading my MacBook pro (2017 inter) to Monterey.

the System Preferences > Spotlight > Privacy is empty.

I have tried several methods that I found online, but all of them don't work.

In terminal:

sudo mdutil -i on /Volumes/GoogleDrive

shows

/System/Volumes/Data/Volumes/GoogleDrive:

Indexing and searching disabled.

Same issue on macbook pro M1 Pro monterey. Cant search inside a drive folder in finder. no result. I don't think even its just a drive issue its a general issue with the search to find files. never had this before. safe mode doesn't help here

On another thread, the user found out that Goolag recently changed from mirroring to syncing everything. To index nonexistent files, Goolag would have to provide a method to make the metadata from the online files available to Spotlight.

just did a test search and surprisingly i was able to find my pdf files in the google drive folder which didn't work before. its a new MacBook pro m1 pro. Hope its working for you guys as well. gonna take an eye on it

Just the usual finder search. select folder, instead of "This Mac" the specific folder selected and the results shows up. I updated to 12.1 but even after the update the searching issue was there and now without any change all is working fine like on Catalina. No idea how this happens now... But still believe an issue with os 12 and drive which was recently changed. The backup and sync app from google never had issue but heard a few topics since they rolled out the new replacement which can either sync or stream data. That was the reason I didn't want to replace the old backup and sync app.

So I cant really help with more details

As i mentioned for me it got resolved on its own. No idea how but suddenly i could search again. Working fast and well as expected in spotlight and finder search. So i cant help just let you know its working. Super weird how that happen...

I found an end run. Paid 29 “pounds” for an app called “Alfred”. Google Alfred app mac. Version 4.62 fixes Monterey OS google drive problem . It’s a separate gadget to search your google drive. Spotlight works on your own machine & iCloud.

Stupid solution but I didn’t want to waste a day de-installing Monterey. Going forward, I won’t install new MacOS until it has a couple years of fixes.

Google has added a search field. But it only shows 10 results.

Just an idea: This is not an adequate solution. Automatic equipping of all files in the backed up folder. The search can be done in the nickname folder. You need to write a script for this. What do you think, is it possible?

I am simply baffled by how this has happened. Moving from Back Up & Sync, which worked perfectly for me and really did not changing, I even didn't notice that the folder I was putting everything in as an important back up, did NOT sync. When I installed the new Google Drive software, it didn't remove or merge the old files in Back Up & Sync. I have been going for months without back ups now.

I also have the spotlight and regular search in the finder problem. How? How can this be an issue that has not been resolved over the past months? Especially since Google forced everyone to move to this.

I have provided feedback like suggested in this thread. There is also a Google thread on this, please everyone, fill in both for this unbelievable error!

Running Monterey on a MacBook Pro. Compoany switched us all to GoogleDrive to consolidate emails & storage, supposedly streamlining things. I've been fighting with this since late fall. EVERY time I go looking for something (with files going back 7-8 -10 years in some cases), anything that has been moved to the drive is unsearchable. Takes me forever to sort through files now. Beyond frustrating. Honestly, I think I'm about to ditch the drive completely at this point.