How to Create Your Search Engine ID (CX) | Full Self Posting ← Back to All Tutorials

How to Create Your Search Engine ID (CX)

Configure a search engine for web-wide research

The Search Engine ID (CX) tells Google Custom Search how to search. You’ll create a search engine that searches the entire web.

πŸ“‹ What’s in This Guide

  1. What is a Search Engine ID?
  2. Create a Search Engine
  3. Configure for Entire Web
  4. Get Your CX
  5. Add to FSP

Time required: About 3 minutes FREE

What is a Search Engine ID?

ComponentPurpose
API KeyProves you’re authorized to search
Search Engine ID (CX)Identifies which search configuration to use

You need both. The API key is your “license,” the CX is your “car.”

1 Create a Search Engine

  1. Go to Programmable Search Engine
  2. Sign in with Google
  3. Click Add

Create Search Engine β†’

2 Configure for Entire Web

FieldWhat to Enter
NameFSP Web Research
What to searchSelect “Search the entire web”
  1. Click Create
βœ… “Search the entire web” is the key setting

This gives FSP access to all online sources.

3 Get Your CX

  1. Click on your search engine name
  2. Find Search engine ID in the Basic settings
  3. Click Copy
βœ… Your CX looks like:
44f6353ff5f024f9a

It’s a 17-character alphanumeric string.

View All Search Engines β†’

4 Add to FSP

  1. In WordPress: FSP Pro β†’ Brain & API Keys
  2. Paste into Google Custom Search Engine ID (CX)
  3. Enable “Google Search Research” under Feature Toggles
  4. Click Save Settings
βœ… Research is now enabled!

FSP will search Google before writing each article.

Test It

  1. Generate a test post
  2. Check System Log for:
[2025-12-30 12:00:00] Google Search: WordPress AI automation
[2025-12-30 12:00:01] Google Search: Found 5 results

Troubleshooting

Error: “Invalid Value”

  • Copy CX againβ€”no extra spaces
  • Just the ID, not a URL

Error: “API key not valid”

That’s the API Key, not CX. See: API Key tutorial

βœ… Google Search Research – Complete Checklist

  • Custom Search API enabled (tutorial)
  • API Key added to FSP
  • Search Engine created
  • “Search entire web” enabled
  • CX added to FSP
  • “Google Search Research” toggled ON

Quick Links

Create Engine View Engines

πŸŽ‰ Research Setup Complete!

Next steps: