Disable Online Content Fetching in Ubuntu 14.10 Search

Disabling Online Content in Ubuntu Searches

When utilizing the Unity Dash for searches, it’s possible to encounter results sourced from the internet. Your search queries are transmitted to platforms like productsearch.ubuntu.com, as well as third-party services such as Amazon and Facebook, to supplement local search results with online content.

Should you prefer to exclude these online results from your Unity Dash searches, this functionality can be disabled. Previously, this was achievable through command-line instructions. However, a more user-friendly method exists within the system settings.

Accessing System Settings

Begin by clicking the "System Settings" icon located on the Unity bar.

Within the "System Settings" window, navigate to the "Personal" section and then select the "Security & Privacy" icon.

Configuring Search Privacy

The "Security & Privacy" screen features several tabs; click on the "Search" tab.

On the right-hand side of the "Search" tab, you will find an "ON/OFF" slider. Toggle this slider to the OFF position to disable online content fetching.

Upon deactivation, the slider will change to gray and display the status "OFF."

Finalizing the Changes

To close the "System Settings" window, simply click the "X" icon in the upper-left corner.

It is necessary to log out of your current session for these changes to be fully implemented. Click the gear icon situated in the upper-right corner of the screen, and then select "Log Out" from the dropdown menu.

A "Log Out" dialog box will appear; confirm your intention by clicking the "Log Out" button.

Verifying the Results

After logging back into your Ubuntu session, subsequent searches performed using the Unity Dash will no longer include online results, displaying only locally sourced content.

Should you wish to re-enable the display of online search results, simply toggle the setting back to the ON position and repeat the log-out and log-in process.