How to stop safari from interpreting my search as a URL?

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How to stop safari from interpreting my search as a URL?

For the past two or three years, I have been having this issue where safari interprets my search terms as URLs. Is there any way to stop this from happening?

It most often occurs when I am typing quickly and press enter before the search suggestions can load. This also occurs with words that I can confidently say I've never typed before in my life, so I'm less inclined to believe this is the product of a hyperactive auto-complete.

Also, generally speaking, I fail to see utility in converting an ambiguous string of text into a URL without the user also supplying a top level domain. Seems like an unnecessary feature to me.

MBP 14" 2021, macOS 12.6, Safari 16.0

MacBook Pro 14″, macOS 12.6

Posted on Sep 30, 2022 4:27 PM

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Answer 1

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John Galt

Level 10

156,722 points

Sep 30, 2022 6:16 PM in response to chrisoltorik

Seems like an unnecessary feature to me.

Can's say I disagree. At least it could be a configurable preference, which it is not. One known workaround is to type a space character before typing anything in Safari's "smart search" / URL field. That works.

Safari's URL "autocomplete" feature populates from your browsing history and Safari's cache. Try clearing one or both:

Clear your browsing history in Safari on Mac - Apple Support

Manage cookies and website data in Safari on Mac - Apple Support

Perhaps it's worth trying "Safe Mode" but that seems like a stretch for this kind of problem: How to use safe mode on your Mac - Apple Support. Determine whether the problem manifests in Safe Mode, then restart your Mac normally (not "Safe Mode").

Although it is for the iPad, read Turning off autocomplete in the Safari Search bar - Apple Community for some other possible ideas.

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How to stop safari from interpreting my search as a URL?

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