Firefox Plans Smarter, Privacy-Focused Search Results

New address bar feature aims to deliver direct answers while preserving user anonymity.

Mozilla is developing a new Firefox feature that will display direct results in the browser’s address bar, reducing the need to visit a search engine results page. While most browsers already offer search suggestions, these typically redirect users to a full results page, even when a direct answer would suffice. Firefox’s approach seeks to streamline this process by showing relevant information—such as flight statuses or business listings—immediately as users type. The goal is to improve efficiency without compromising user privacy.

Rethinking the Address Bar Experience

Today’s browser address bars primarily serve as gateways to search engines, which benefit from routing all queries through their platforms. Mozilla envisions a more independent model, where Firefox can surface direct answers for common queries like website names, flight updates, or local recommendations. For instance, typing a flight number could show real-time status directly in the address bar, or entering a business name might reveal its location and hours. These enhancements aim to reduce friction and help users reach their destination faster.

The feature builds on earlier experiments Mozilla conducted but did not release due to privacy concerns. Unlike traditional search engines, Firefox avoids collecting or linking user data to search queries. Mozilla’s commitment to privacy meant waiting until a secure technical solution was available. With the introduction of Oblivious HTTP, a new protocol co-developed by Mozilla, the company now believes it can meet its high standards.

Privacy by Design: Oblivious HTTP

The new system encrypts user queries before they leave the browser, sending them through a relay operated by Fastly. This relay can see the user’s IP address but not the content of the query, while Mozilla can see the query text but not the user’s identity. As a result, no single party can associate a search term with a specific individual. This architecture ensures that even Mozilla cannot track what users are searching for, aligning with the browser’s privacy-first philosophy.

Direct results will only appear when Firefox has high confidence in the match, and traditional search suggestions will remain available for all queries. Some direct results may be sponsored, but only if they are highly relevant and without revealing user identity to Mozilla or advertisers. This model allows Mozilla to collaborate with independent content providers, offering an alternative to centralized search engines. The company hopes this will contribute to a more open and diverse web ecosystem.

Gradual Rollout and Future Expansion

Scaling the feature to a global audience presents technical challenges, including the need for low-latency infrastructure and high processing capacity. Mozilla will begin testing the feature in the United States, monitoring performance and user feedback before expanding to other regions. The rollout will be gradual, with full deployment expected over the next year. This phased approach allows the team to refine the system and ensure it meets both usability and privacy expectations.