Most browsers let you use the address bar as a search engine. For example, if I start typing the web address for my site into the Chrome search bar, suggestions appear for sites I might want.
The suggestions are based on past history and currently popular searches. Just click on any of the suggestions to go there.
While some folks find the suggestions helpful, other find them confusing. Privacy-minded individuals don’t like the suggestions based on their search results.
Unfortunately, the most popular browser, Google Chrome, won’t allow you to disable this feature. However, if you use Firefox, it’s pretty easy.
Open Firefox, click the three-line menu icon at the top right of the browser, and choose Options from the drop-down menu.
At the left, click on Search.
Untick the button next to Use the address bar for search and navigation.
PS to your tip: Most people will want to check the button for “add search box to toolbar.” This will put a dedicated search bar in the upper right of your screen, pretty much where it always was in the olden days.