Please Show Full URLs by Default and Disable “Show Search Terms in Address Bar” by Default

[pforam64]

Subject: Feedback: Please Show Full URLs by Default and Disable “Show Search Terms in Address Bar” by Default

Hello Mozilla Firefox Team,

I would like to suggest two changes to Firefox’s default address bar behavior that would improve transparency, usability, and user trust.

1. Show Full URL Addresses by Default
   Currently, Firefox hides parts of the URL such as “https://” and sometimes simplifies the displayed address. I believe Firefox should display the complete URL at all times by default, including:

• Protocol (https://)

• Full subdomains (www, m, etc.)

• Complete path when relevant

Displaying the full address helps users:

• Better verify website authenticity

• Detect phishing or deceptive domains more easily

• Understand exactly where they are navigating

• Maintain consistency with technical and professional workflows
  
  
  

1. Disable “Show Search Terms in the Address Bar on Results Pages” by Default
   The feature that replaces the actual search engine URL with the search query text can be confusing and reduces transparency. Many users expect the address bar to show the real URL of the page they are visiting.

I recommend disabling this feature by default because:

• It hides useful navigational information

• It makes copying/searching URLs less predictable

• It can create ambiguity about the actual site/page being viewed

• Advanced and privacy-conscious users generally prefer seeing the real URL

Users who prefer the simplified search-term display could still enable it manually in settings.

Firefox has traditionally been a browser focused on user control, openness, and transparency. These changes would align well with those principles.

Thank you for your work on Firefox and for considering this feedback.

[Jon]

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