Empower people to change the world with simple everyday actions that raise money for causes they care most about
To make the world a better place by becoming a major source of fundraising for our 100,000+ non-profit and school partners
We all have a cause we care about - whether it's finding a cure for cancer, saving the environment, finding homes for abandoned pets or so many other worthwhile endeavors. But what we don't all have is the time or money to support these efforts as much as we'd like. So, what if we could raise money for our favorite charities and schools by doing something we do every day — searching the Internet?
That's the question Ken Ramberg (the former founder of JOBTRAK, now a division of Monster.com) and JJ Ramberg (an MSNBC anchor and the former Director of Marketing at Cooking.com) asked themselves a few years ago. After realizing what a fraction of the $8 billion generated annually by search engine advertisers could do if it were directed towards organizations trying to make the world a better place, they launched GoodSearch in 2005.
GoodSearch is a search engine which donates 50 percent of its sponsored search revenue to the charities and schools designated by its users. You use GoodSearch exactly as you would any other search engine. Because it's powered by Yahoo!, you get proven search results. The money GoodSearch donates to your cause comes from its advertisers — the users and the organizations do not spend a dime!
In 2007, GoodSearch was expanded to include GoodShop, an online shopping mall of world-class merchants dedicated to helping fund worthy causes across the country. Each purchase made via the GoodShop mall results in a donation to the user's designated charity or school – averaging approximately 3% of the sale, but going up to 20% or even more.
In 2011, GoodSearch expanded further to include GoodDining. The first ever, national 365-day-a-year dine out for charity program. With GoodDining, our users can eat in or take out at 10,000 restaurants nationwide and earn up to 6% donations for their favorite charity or school.
Ken and JJ wanted to create a means to support charities so that people would say, "Why wouldn't you do it?" That's what GoodSearch does. Since it doesn't cost anything and you get proven search results, there's no reason not to use it!
GoodSearch is dedicated to Ken and JJ's mother, who passed away from cancer and who taught them both that by working together with dogged dedication, we can really make this world a better place.
Our goal is to help as many nonprofits and schools as possible. We want to help fund the great works they are doing. And, as important as the money, GoodSearch allows people to feel connected to organizations helping to make the world a better place and support them every single day. We believe that "doing good" should be a part of people's everyday lives.
We hope you'll not only use GoodSearch as your main search engine from now on, but will also tell your friends, family and co-workers so they, too, can start using GoodSearch to support their favorite cause!
So ...
General Questions - GoodSearch
How do I raise money for my favorite charity or school through GoodSearch?
Last year search engines generated close to $8 billion in revenue from advertisers. We've developed a way to direct some of that money to the causes you care about most. It's easy ... every time you search the Internet at GoodSearch.com, your charity or school earns money and the more you search, the more they make. Add up the money generated from all your searches and those done by the millions of other people who we hope will use GoodSearch, and we can make a real difference to the people and causes that need funds most.
How does it work?
- On the GoodSearch homepage, choose from thousands of organizations or add your favorite cause to our list.
- Search the Internet just like you normally would — the site is powered by Yahoo!, so you'll get high-quality search results.
- Fifty percent of the revenue generated from the sponsored search advertisers is shared with the charity, school or nonprofit organization of your choosing.
- The 15 minute GoodSearch webinar will show you all of the cool new features that the GoodSearch site has to offer. Download the webinar here.
Are the search results going to be as good as the search engine I am using now?
GoodSearch.com is powered by Yahoo! so you'll get high-quality search results!
How much money could this generate for my charity or school?
Fifty percent of the revenue generated from the sponsored search advertisers on GoodSearch is shared with the charity, school or nonprofit organization of your choosing. We estimate that each Web search will generate approximately $0.01 (image, video, Yellow Pages, and site-specific searches are not included). In fiscal 2006, 2007 and 2008 (October through September), each search actually earned 1.3 cents (however, with the soft economy and falling advertising rates in 2009, we expect this number to be lower). It quickly adds up! Here's an example of how much your organization can earn:
| Small |
100 |
2 |
$730 |
| Medium |
1,000 |
2 |
$7,300 |
| Large |
10,000 |
2 |
$73,000 |
The sky's the limit. The more people use GoodSearch, the more money will be directed towards causes. There is no cap on how much money we will direct to charities.
Where does the money come from?
Search engines make most of their money from companies that pay an advertising fee when users click on links during a search. At GoodSearch, we've patented a way to track and direct these search-generated proceeds to charities. In other words, a portion of advertiser dollars (and not your own!) earned as a result of your search, are now passed along to the organization you've chosen to support.
Do the users ever have to pay anything?
No. GoodSearch provides people a way to support their favorite cause at no cost. The money comes from the GoodSearch advertisers.
What percentage of revenue goes to the charities and schools?
GoodSearch is a search engine with a unique social mission which involves generously giving back to charity with every Web search. We direct 50 percent of revenues from our sponsored search results to the nonprofits designated by our audience.
Other examples of socially-conscious companies which donate a percentage of their revenues or profits to good causes include Newman's Own, Ethos Water, Patagonia and Ben & Jerry's.
Do all of my searches count toward donations?
All of your searches will count toward donations except for the following: 1) image searches; 2) video searches; 3) "search this site" searches; 4) searches for URL's (i.e., search terms ending in .com, .org, .net, .edu); 5) searches to sites for which the URL is well known such as HotMail, ESPN, MySpace, Facebook, GMail, AOL, etc.; 6) searches for stock quotes; 7) searches for word definitions; 8) Yellow Pages searches; 9) searches for the same term within a 24 hour period; 10) "Also Try" searches; 11) "Trending" searches (located on the left of the search results page); 12) "Related Searches – Yahoo Search Assist" (located at the bottom the search results page; 13) any searches generated from fraudulent use of the site.
What if I do not select a charity or school?
Revenue raised by users who do not designate a specific charity will be used to fund operations.
How can I track the number of searches and revenue generated for my charity or school?
After you have entered your charity in the "Who do your GoodSearch for?" box on our homepage, just click on the "Amount Raised" button. Here you'll see in real-time the number of searches and money raised.
How can I see a list of all the charities in the database?
Simply click on the participating nonprofits link located at the bottom of our homepage. You can also search for your favorite organization by entering their name into the "Who do you GoodSearch for?" box. If the organization you would like to support is not yet in our system, please feel free to submit an application on their behalf by clicking on the "Add a new Charity or School" link on our homepage.
What stops people from clicking just to raise money for their charity? What is meant by fraudulent searching?
We ask that you use this site honestly. As long as you use GoodSearch just as you would any other search engine, it's never a problem.
Fraudulent searching includes, but is not limited to, repeated manual clicks, the use of robots or other automated query tools, etc. This will result in the user being blocked from the site and/or the charity being de-listed.
While not expressly prohibited, searches to URL's (i.e., search terms ending in .com, .org, .net, .edu), searches to sites for which the URL is well known such as HotMail, ESPN, MySpace, Facebook, GMail, AOL, etc., and searches for stock quotes will not count toward a nonprofit's total searches and revenue.
How can I make it so my charity is already chosen each time I go to GoodSearch?
If your computer allows cookies, the last nonprofit you designated will remain chosen. Please note, any time you or your anti-virus software clears your cookies or temporary files, you will need to return to the GoodSearch homepage and re-select your charity. Click here to find out how to enable cookies.
Another option is to link to GoodSearch with the following direct link, which includes your Charity ID and bypasses the "cookie": http://www.goodsearch.com/?charityid=xxxx (replace "xxxx" with the Charity ID located on the Amount Raised page).
Can users donate to more than one cause?
Yes, of course. Users can support as many causes as they'd like, but only one at a time. You can change the designated organization by clicking on the yellow "clear selection" box and then typing in the name of the new organization.
Why is GoodSearch especially relevant to charities today?
The economy over the past few years has provided a difficult challenge for nonprofit organizations and schools. While funding for many of these organizations has decreased, the need for them has increased. GoodSearch and GoodShop provide a way for these organizations to raise funds even in difficult times.
GoodSearch is also a great way for people to stay connected with a cause. Every day through GoodSearch, users are able do something to help a specific cause and show their loyalty to an organization. In addition to this added cash, smaller charities and schools benefit from the increased awareness and visibility they can get by being listed with GoodSearch or featured as the site's "Charity of the Day" on its home page.
How can I spread the word about GoodSearch to my friends?
Click here for ideas on how to Spread the Word.
How can I list my site on GoodSearch?
Because Yahoo provides the GoodSearch search results, please submit your site to Yahoo directly at http://search.yahoo.com/info/submit.html
General Questions - GoodShop: The GoodSearch Shopping Mall
How do I raise money for my favorite charity or school with GoodShop?
Every time you click over to one of our partner merchants from the GoodShop site and then make a purchase, your charity or school earns money. The more you shop, the more they make! Add up the money generated from all of your shopping and the shopping done by all of the other people who use GoodShop, and we can make a real difference for many worthy causes.
100% of the donation displayed on GoodShop goes to your designated nonprofit or school.
How does it work?
Simply go to http://www.goodsearch.com/ and click on the GoodShop link or go to http://www.goodsearch.com/goodshop.aspx. In the "Who do you GoodSearch for" box, choose from one of the thousands of charities and schools already listed in our database or add your favorite cause to our list.
Next, click through to our partner merchants (clicking on the merchant's link will open a new browser window and redirect you to their site) and start shopping! A percentage of your purchase will go to your favorite charity or school.
Where does the money come from?
When you shop through GoodShop at one of our retail partners, GoodSearch is paid a commission. At GoodSearch, we've developed a way to track these shopping-generated proceeds and direct them to charities.
How much can I generate for my charity or school by shopping through GoodShop?
The amount donated is different for each retailer but it averages approximately 3% of the total sale and can go up to 20% and beyond (the percentage donated is indicated below the merchants logo). The total amount raised can quickly add up and the sky is the limit. The more people shop through GoodSearch, the more money will be directed towards good causes. There is no cap on how much money we will direct to charities and schools!
Here's an estimate of how much your organization can earn:
| Small |
100 |
$500 |
3% |
$1,500 |
| Medium |
1,000 |
$500 |
3% |
$15,000 |
| Large |
10,000 |
$500 |
3% |
$150,000 |
Am I paying more to shop through GoodShop? Is this any different than buying directly from the retailer?
Absolutely not! The experience of shopping through GoodShop is exactly the same as going to the retailer directly – you receive the same prices and level of service. The retailers are responsible for collecting payment, shipping and returns.
Is shopping through GoodShop secure?
Absolutely! GoodSearch does not collect any credit card or personal information such as your name or address. The entire transaction is done directly through the merchants just as if you had gone to their store directly.
Why is there a delay between when I make a purchase and when it shows up on the Amount Raised page?
We post the data that we receive from our retailers weekly on our Amount Raised page. Please note however that our retailers may take up to eight weeks to report their sales back to us from the time of your purchase. Also, you may notice a change in the totals due to returned merchandise or cancelled orders.
What if my donation still doesn't appear after six weeks?
If you don't see your donation appearing on the Amount Raised page after six weeks, please click here.
We'll do our best to contact the merchant and resolve the issue ASAP.
Please know that Amazon is unique in that their technology does not provide us the ability to display earnings within our user accounts.
Amazon purchases will still earn donations for your cause, but will only be displayed in aggregate at the cause level.
Do all purchases qualify for a donation?
While the majority of all purchases will generate a donation for your organization, each retailer has its own rules and some purchases may not qualify. For example, many merchants do not contribute donations for gift cards or gift certificates. You can read about restrictions by clicking on the percentage generated link under each retailer's logo on the GoodShop shopping homepage.
How can my store participate?
If you would like to advertise with GoodSearch or GoodShop or and be added to our list of partner stores, please contact us at information[at]goodsearch.com
General Questions - Image Search
Where do I report offensive images?
The GoodSearch image search provided by Yahoo is defaulted to "Safe Search" mode. However, the system does not catch offensive images 100% of the time. Please report offensive images directly to Yahoo at http://help.yahoo.com/l/us/yahoo/search/spam_abuse.html
Do Image Searches count toward donation totals?
No, neither image nor video searches count toward donations.
FAQ for Nonprofits
What types of organizations are eligible to participate?
To participate in our program, your organization must be a registered nonprofit. This can include schools, charities, hospitals and clinics, volunteer services, political organizations, fraternal organizations, professional associations, religious organizations, governmental agencies, etc. Each organization submitted will go through an approval process to confirm their legitimacy. Upon approval they will be notified with a welcome e-mail.
Does GoodSearch work with charities or schools outside of the United States?
No. We currently only work with U.S. nonprofits but we hope to expand internationally in the future.
How can I add a charity to your list?
With tens of thousands of organizations currently listed on our site, it's likely that yours may already be active. Please check to see if the organization you wish to support is already on the site by entering the organization's name in the "Who do you GoodSearch for" box on the homepage. If your organization is not listed, simply click on the Add a New Charity link and follow the instructions onscreen. We will verify its nonprofit status and will add it to our database ASAP.
How long will it take for my organization to be verified and posted in the database?
It usually takes a couple of days for us to verify the information submitted and add your charity or school into our database. We'll send you our welcome e-mail as soon as it has been approved. With so many new organizations applying daily, we thank you for your patience!
When will my organization receive a check?
We will send each organization a check once a year in December for the combined funds earned on GoodSearch and GoodShop during our fiscal year of Oct. 1 through Sept. 30. The minimum check sent is $20. If the organization has earned less than $20, the funds will be allocated on a pro rata basis to those organizations which have met the minimum payment requirement.
The more often an organization's supporters use GoodSearch and GoodShop, the more money that organization will receive. In no event will we make payments for any earned balance less than $20.
Checks not cashed within one (1) year after issue will be deemed null and void, and all corresponding funds will instead be donated on behalf of the payees to nonprofit causes designated by GoodSearch management.
How do I change my organization's contact information?
Please go to the "Amount Raised" page and submit a change to the contact information for your organization. While anyone can submit a change, before we update an organization's listing in our database one of our staff members first reviews and verifies the request.
If I run a nonprofit organization or a school, how can I promote GoodSearch to my supporters?
Please click here for some ideas on how to spread the word.
How can we pre-populate our nonprofit's name in the system when linking to GoodSearch from our site?
Here's the format for a link that will pre-select your nonprofit on our homepage:
GoodSearch:
http://www.goodsearch.com/?charityid=xxx (For example: http://www.goodsearch.com/?charityid=12345)
GoodShop:
http://www.goodshop.com/?charityid=xxx (For example: http://www.goodshop.com/?charityid=12345)
To find your organization's Charity ID please click on the Amount Raised page (please note, the Charity ID will only appear after at least one search has been completed).
Troubleshooting
The charity I had selected does not appear when I return to the GoodSearch home page
In order for your computer to remember which charity you previously selected, you'll need to set your browser to accept "cookies" from GoodSearch. Click here to find out how to enable cookies. Please note, any time you or your anti-virus software clears your cookies or temporary files, you will need to return to the GoodSearch homepage and re-select your charity.
Another option is to link to GoodSearch with the following direct link, which includes your Charity ID and bypasses the "cookie": http://www.goodsearch.com/?charityid=xxxx (replace "xxxx" with the Charity ID located on the Amount Raised page)
I am unable to change the charity that I selected.
Try clearing the "cookies" and the "temporary internet files" (also known as "cache") from your browser. You can usually do this by clicking on "Tools" link at the top of your browser and then on "Options."
I do not see the "Verify" button after entering my charity.
Try clearing the "cookies" and the "temporary internet files" (also known as "cache") from your browser. You can usually do this clicking on "Tools" link at the top of your browser and then on "Options."
The link to add GoodSearch to the Firefox toolbar doesn't seem to work.
Another way to get GoodSearch into your Firefox toolbar is as follows:
- Open up a Firefox Browser
- Go to http://mycroft.mozdev.org/search-engines.html?name=GoodSearch.com
- Under "Other General Engines" click the GoodSearch link. This will install the GoodSearch toolbar plug in on your Firefox browser. Enter "GoodSearch" in the box.
- Whatever charity you have designated on the GoodSearch homepage will be credited when you search our site from the Firefox or IE toolbar.
I cannot link to any of the pages on from the GoodSearch search results. A blank page appears when clicking on any of the links.
Please have your Network Administrator unblock and grant access to "overture.com" from your firewall. Overture is the domain that Yahoo uses to serve out its search results to its partner sites such as GoodSearch.
I cannot locate the Charity ID on the Amount Raised page.
Please make sure that at least one search has been conducted on behalf of your nonprofit. The Charity ID will appear only after the first search had been completed.
I am unable to view or link to some of the GoodShop merchants.
There are a few reasons that this might happen and here are some possible solutions:
-
Browser security and cookie settings
Please set your browser to accept cookies. You may also have to verify that the following domains have not been unknowingly blocked by your browser:
ad.doubleclick.net
anrdoezrs.net
cc-dt.com
cj.com
clickserve.cc-dt.com
commission-junction.com
connectcommerce.com
dpbolvw.net
goodshop.com
jdoqocy.com
kqzyfj.com
linkshare.com
linksynergy.com
performics.com
qksrv.net
tkqlhce.com
For Internet Explorer, follow this path:
Tools > Options > Privacy > Sites
After clicking the Sites button a window will pop up titled Per Site Privacy Actions. Scroll through the list of sites listed under Managed Web Sites to see if any of the above domains are already listed.
- If yes, double-click the name and click the Allow button. Repeat for each of the above domains.
- If no, enter each of the domains listed above and click the Allow button.
For Firefox, follow this path:
Tools > Options > Privacy > Cookies
If the box next to "Allow sites to set cookies" is unchecked, click Exceptions and add the domains listed above
-
SpyWare Tools
Some anti-spyware applications such as SpySweeper, SpyBot, AdAware or security suites such as Norton or McAfee have been reported to occasionally block access to our merchants. In order to ensure that all of your purchases are recorded properly it would be best to add the sites listed above to you application's "White-list" or temporarily disable the application while shopping through GoodShop. Please refer to your program's Help feature and search under terms like:
- Cookies
- Privacy
- Approved sites
- Exceptions
The intent is to find out whether any of the domains listed above are being blocked by one of these programs. Disabling this setting should use similar language — "Always Allow," "Allow Site," "Exceptions," etc.
Please be aware that some programs may overwrite these settings even after you have set them. If the difficulties suddenly return, your troubleshooting should begin by checking these programs' settings.
-
Pop-Up Blockers
Some pop-up blockers may also block your ability to link from GoodShop to the merchant's site. Try turning off your pop-up blocker temporarily.
-
Firewalls
If you use any firewalls such as Zone Alarm, Norton Internet Security or some other such Firewall, then you need to keep the "Ad Blocking" turned off. You may also need to allow access to the URLs listed above through your firewall.
Why doesn't the Custom Search Box work?
The Custom Search Box requires the included Javascript functions to work properly. In addition the form elements must retain the names and IDs set for them. Please ensure that the browser in question has Javascript turned on. Then, check the source code on your browser and make sure that the Javascript was rendered properly on your pages and that the form elements have the same names as the code sent to you. If the Search Box code was entered using a content management or authoring system, that system may have stripped out the Javascript code or changed or erased form element names.
Why doesn't the Custom Search Box "Search the Site" feature work?
If these searches are not returning results, it's possible that the Yahoo! search engine that powers GoodSearch did not index your site's content properly. Reasons for this may include the lack of search engine optimization, including but not limited to unfriendly URLs and lack of accurate meta description or keyword tags.
Toolbar
Is the toolbar available for browsers other than Microsoft Internet Explorer and Firefox?
The toolbar is currently available only for Microsoft Internet Explorer and Firefox. We're working on additional toolbars and hope to have them available shortly. In the meantime please search from our homepage to support your cause.
Does the toolbar contain spyware or adware?
No. The GoodSearch Toolbar does not contain any spyware or adware and never collects any personally identifiable information. There is no registration for end-users to install and use the toolbar.
When I search from the Firefox or Internet Explorer 7 toolbar will my charity get credit?
Yes. Whatever charity you have designated on the GoodSearch homepage will be credited when you search our site from the Firefox or IE toolbar. As long as your computer accepts cookies, you only need to visit the GoodSearch homepage to select your favorite organization once and then all future searches from the toolbar will benefit that organization. Please note, any time you or your anti-virus software clears your cookies or temporary files you will need to return to the GoodSearch homepage and re-select your charity again.
The link on the GoodSearch homepage to add GoodSearch to the Firefox toolbar doesn't seem to work.
Another way to get GoodSearch into your Firefox toolbar is as follows:
- Click on the "down arrow" on the top right of your Firefox toolbar.
- Click "add engines"
- Click "Browse more search engines..."
- Enter "GoodSearch" in the box.
I installed the GoodSearch Toolbar for Internet Explorer, but I still don't see it.
There are many reasons your toolbar might not be visible. Here are some of the most common problems and resolutions.
Toolbar Hidden
In your IE menu bar, open the View menu, and select "Toolbars."
Make sure there is a checkmark next to "GoodSearch Toolbar" — if there is no checkmark, the toolbar will not appear. If it is already checked, IE may have become confused—try unchecking it and rechecking it. If you do not see the GoodSearch Toolbar mentioned there, you do not have the GoodSearch Toolbar installed. You should go to the GoodSearch Toolbar page and install it.
Toolbar Dragged Off Window
If you see the GoodSearch "G" anywhere in the top of your Web browser, then GoodSearch Toolbar has been installed, but is showing up in an unusual place.
- Directly to the left of the "G," you'll see a thin vertical bar or a vertical bar of dots next to a vertical line
- If you do not see this bar, your IE toolbars are locked: select View > Toolbars > Lock the Toolbars to unlock your IE toolbars.
- Click this bar with the left mouse button and hold the mouse button down.
- Now, move the mouse to where you want the toolbar to go and release the button.
If you do not see the "G" or the toolbar, try closing all Web browser windows, and restart your Web browser.
Toolbar Dragged Off Visible Area
Sometimes either by installing new software or accidentally dragging the toolbar somewhere, the GoodSearch Toolbar can be dragged off the visible area of Internet Explorer.
- Examine your IE toolbars for any chevrons like this, ">>". These indicate hidden controls.
- Click each set of chevrons in turn, looking for the GoodSearch Toolbar.
- When you find the toolbar, click the thin vertical bar or vertical series of dots in front of the "G" and drag it down and to the left so that it is visible again.
- If you do not see this bar, your IE toolbars are locked: select View > Toolbars > Lock the Toolbars to unlock your IE toolbars.
Conflicting Toolbars
Some forms of adware and spyware install toolbars in Internet Explorer that will hide or disable other toolbars, including the GoodSearch Toolbar. To remove other toolbars in IE do the following:
- Click View > Toolbars.
- Ignore "Standard Bar," "Address Bar," and "Links," but make sure every other item listed above the separator has a checkmark next to it. If it does not have a checkmark, select it, so that it will appear in your browser.
- Uninstall any additional toolbars in your browser that you do not use.
Due to the wide variety of toolbars, it is impossible to provide instructions for removing them all. However the two most common methods are to use a menu item in the toolbar titled "Uninstall" or "Remove," or to use Add/Remove Programs from the Control Panel to remove the toolbar by finding the toolbar name listed in View > Toolbars menu.
Corrupt Toolbar Installation
If you are still having problems, your GoodSearch Toolbar installation might have been corrupted. To ensure you have a clean install, do the following:
- Remove the GoodSearch Toolbar via Add/Remove Programs from the Control Panel.
- Reboot your computer.
- Visit the GoodSearch Toolbar site and reinstall GoodSearch Toolbar. You might want to write that Web address down so you don't lose it when you reboot your computer.
Toolbar appears under "View Toolbars" but still not on screen
- Go to tools and "Manage Add-Ons"
- Click Show – Add-ons currently loaded in Internet Explorer
- Highlight GoodSearch toolbar, and on the bottom of the screen click Settings I Enable
- Click OK at the bottom of the screen
- Close out of all Internet Explorer screens and re-launch your browser.
How do I remove the GoodSearch Toolbar for Internet Explorer?
There are two ways to uninstall the GoodSearch Toolbar for Internet Explorer.
Option 1: Via the toolbar
- Click on the "down arrow" next to the GoodSearch logo in the toolbar
- Click "Uninstall" on the uninstall page.
- Close any open IE windows.
When you restart Internet Explorer, the GoodSearch Toolbar will no longer be present.
Option 2: Via the Control Panel
- Click the Windows "Start" button.
- Select "Control Panel" from the "Settings" menu.
- Double-click on "Add/Remove Programs."
- Scroll down and click on the "GoodSearch Toolbar" entry.
- Click on "Change/Remove."
- Close any open IE windows.
The GoodSearch Toolbar is now uninstalled. Start IE again after closing all your open IE browser windows and it will no longer be present.
If you follow these steps and GoodSearch Toolbar is still present, make sure you have closed all your open IE browser windows. Due to Internet Explorer being integrated with Windows, you might need to restart your computer to fully uninstall GoodSearch Toolbar.
How do I remove the GoodSearch Toolbar for Firefox?
- Go to Tools and Select Add-Ons
- Under the Extensions tab, click on GoodSearch Toolbar.
- Select Uninstall
- The toolbar will uninstall when you restart Firefox
My Account
Account Management
How do I create an account to track my individual contributions?
Click here to create a GoodSearch Account to track your individual contributions!
How do I edit my profile information?
You can edit your profile information in the Edit Profile section of your Account Settings.
Where can I see what I've contributed to my cause?
You can view the amount you've raised in total for all causes you support on GoodSearch on your User Profile Page. To access a more detailed breakdown of your earnings and shopping purchases that resulted in a donation, view your Amount Raised report in your Account Settings . If you don't have an account and want to track your earnings, register here!
How do I stay logged in to GoodSearch every time I come back to the site?
For the security of our users, you will be logged out of your account if you do not frequently visit the site. To ensure that you stay logged in, be sure to visit GoodSearch.com every few days. Registered users can always re-log in and access through our quick login process at any time.
What is the added benefit of registering using a social network site?
Registering using your social network account allows you to skip the fill out a form registration process and quickly register with just 2 clicks! You won't need to remember a password or username for the site as you can always re-log in using your social network account.
Additional benefits will include access to your friend's contributions so you can compete to see who is more charitable and easy access to sharing content with your social network community.
What is included in my amount raised?
Your earnings reflect the amount you've raised since creating your account. Any donations you earned for your cause prior to establishing your account will still be reflected in the total amount earned for that cause even though you don’t see them attributed to you.
What purchases are included in my GoodShop earnings?
Purchases made through GoodShop could take up to eight weeks to be recorded as we wait for confirmation from the merchants. Also, Amazon is unique in that their technology does not provide us the ability to display earnings within our user accounts. Amazon purchases will still earn donations for your cause, but will only be displayed in aggregate at the cause level.
Privacy Settings
I don't want my profile to be public. How do I make it private?
To make your profile invisible to the public, click here to access your Privacy Settings. In the Edit Share Settings section of your account settings screen, you will have the option to make your profile private or public. Please note that making your profile private will also hide you from being seen as a supporter of your chosen cause but all activity that you do will still benefit that cause.
Password Help
I forgot my password. What do I do?
To reset your password, click the “Forgot password?” link on the GoodSearch login screen and we will send a password re-set link to the email address you registered with!
How do I change my password?
You can change your password at any time on your Edit Profile page within your Account Settings.
Edit Notifications
How do I edit my GoodSearch newsletter subscriptions?
To remove or add yourself to any GoodSearch mailing, login to your GoodSearch account and visit your newsletter management page here). An opt out button is also included on every GoodSearch newsletter we send out.
Good Achievements
What are status badges?
We award our registered GoodSearch users with badges that reflect the good actions that they're taking to make a difference! In addition to raising funds for their charities, registered users will earn points whenever they search, shop, add the toolbar, share site content and invite friends to register. Earning more points will increase your status level on the site and earn you a higher ranking badge and more recognition within the GoodSearch Community!
What are points and how do you earn them?
Registered users will earn points whenever they search, shop, add the toolbar, share site content and invite friends to register. Earning more points will increase your GoodStatus on the site and award you higher level badges which will be shown off on your GoodProfile!
What are my achievement badges and why are some of them grey?
Achievement badges show off the good actions that you're doing to give back to your favorite cause!
If your achievement icon is grey, it means you haven't yet earned that badge! Move your mouse over the icon to find out what actions you need to take to earn that badge.
GoodSearcher badge – Earning level 1 of this badge shows that you're a GoodSearch user! Continue to use GoodSearch frequently and you'll earn a higher level of this badge! Search now to earn this badge.
GoodShopper badge – You can earn Level 1 of this badge by making 1 purchase through GoodShop.com. Continue to make all of your online purchases through GoodShop.com will advance you to higher levels of this badge! Shop now to earn this badge.
GoodToolbar badge – You can earn this badge by downloading the GoodToolbar. Download it here to earn the badge!
Influencer badge – You can earn this badge by inviting friends to create a GoodSearch account. The more friends you invite, the higher your influencer badge level will be! Invite friends to earn this badge
Sharing is Caring – You can earn this badge by sharing with others easy ways they can give back using GoodSearch. Sharing content like your favorite cause's profile page, awesome coupons that you see on GoodShop.com or your GoodProfile page can easily be done by clicking the share button that appears on those pages and around the site. We make it easy for you to share out via your favorite social networking site or via email and the more you share…the higher your sharing is caring badge level will be!
How do I make GoodSearch my homepage?
Internet Explorer Instructions
1. Go to Tools and select Internet Options
2. Select the General Tab
3. Paste http://www.GoodSearch.com as the homepage and click ok.
Firefox Instructions
1. Go to Tools and select Options
2. Select the General Tab
3. Paste http://www.GoodSearch.com as the homepage and click ok.
Safari Instructions
1. Go to Safari and select Preferences
2. Select the General tab
3. Paste http://www.GoodSearch.com as the homepage and click ok.
Chrome Instructions
How to Make GoodSearch the Homepage;
1. Go to the upper right hand corner of the screen and click on the Tools Icon
2. Select Options.
3. Under the basics tab and under the Home Page section, choose “Open the following page”
4. Add http://www.GoodSearch.com to the URL box and click close.
GoodDining – General Questions
What is the GoodDining Program?
The GoodDining Program allows members to earn donations for the cause of their choice at thousands of participating restaurants, bars and clubs. When you register for GoodDining, a % of your restaurant bill will automatically be donated to the charity or school of your choice, at no extra cost to you!
How do I enroll?
Enroll online by completing our secure enrollment form. The form includes setting up a GoodDining Login ID and password so that you'll be able to log in to our website and begin earning donations.. Only when you log in with your GoodDining Login ID and password will you be able to view recent transactions, your dining balance and gain access to our full list of participating restaurants, bars and clubs. By providing us with your email address and marketing permission, you will be eligible to earn donations. If you do not provide us with an email address and marketing permission, you will not be eligible to earn donations in the GoodDining program.
When I join, am I automatically eligible to begin earning donations for dining and how much can I earn?
Yes. Completing one easy online enrollment form, which provides us with your email address and marketing permission, will entitle you to begin earning in the GoodDining Program when you visit participating restaurants, bars and clubs. For an overview earning donations see the Good Dining Membership Chart below
GoodDining Membership Chart
| MEMBERSHIP LEVEL |
REQUIREMENTS |
DONATIONS |
VIP Diner
(Very Important Philanthropist)
|
You provide a valid, deliverable email address and you elect to receive emails from GoodDining.
AND
You have dined after spending $750 at program locations within each Membership Year.
|
Earn 5% in donations per dollar spent at participating locations
Review Bonus: Earn an additional 1% donation for each restaurant review submitted within 30 days of your dine
|
|
Good Diner
|
You provide a valid, deliverable email address and you elect to receive emails from GoodDining.
AND
You have spent less than $750 at program locations to date within a Membership Year.
|
Earn 2.5% in donations per dollar spent at participating locations
Review Bonus: Earn an additional 1% donation for each restaurant review submitted within 30 days of your dine
|
|
Inactive Diner
|
You have not provided a valid, deliverable email address and have not elected to receive emails from GoodDining.
|
No donations may be earned
|
What information do I need to provide when I enroll?
When you enroll online, you need to provide your name, address, email address, contact phone number, and a credit or debit card number. To complete enrollment online, you must set up your account, which includes creating a GoodDining Login ID and password. Members enrolling must provide a valid, deliverable email address and acknowledge that they will receive information by email regarding the GoodDining Program in order to be eligible to earn donations.
Why do I have to register a credit/debit card with the GoodDining Program?
Our goal with the GoodDining Program is to provide members with an easy-to-use rewards program that is totally discreet. We have special processing technology that tracks the use of credit and debit cards registered with us when they're used at participating restaurants, bars and clubs. We can then track members' spending and automatically deposit donations into the designated GoodDining account. This way, there are no ID cards to present or coupons to clip. The restaurant, bar or club will not know about you earning donations. Please note that the GoodDining Program will never charge your credit/debit card without your permission. You may review our Privacy Policy here.
Is my credit card information safe and secure?
Yes. Using our system is actually safer than making a purchase online because you don’t have to provide your expiration date nor do you have to provide the CVV number.
We receive your credit card and debit card information in a secure format, and we store that information in a secure, encrypted environment that meets payment card industry security standards.
Additionally, our partner Rewards Network already services over 3 million accounts today through dining loyalty programs for major airlines. Their process includes:
• Security protocols that meet or exceed Payment Card Industry standards
– PCI DSS Type II, SSAE 16 certified
– All Credit/Debit card information is encrypted when received and stored.
• Security audits (Rewards Network, third-party, partner, etc.) are conducted on a recurring basis to ensure the security and privacy of our registered card platform
• 24-7 monitoring of our environment to ensure we have the latest, tested security patches.
How do I register additional credit/debit cards?
You can add or change credit and debit cards, and update any of your other personal membership information by visiting your "My Account Center" located on the website. You can register up to 5 credit/debit cards in total.
Why do I need to create a GoodDining Login ID and password?
Creating a GoodDining Login ID and password allows you to log in to our website. You must be logged in to see details about when you can earn donations at our participating restaurants, bars and clubs. When you log in, you can also access your personalized and secure "My Account Center" to do the following:
• Update and change your membership information online (name, address, credit/debit card number or expiration date, email address, etc.)
• Track your dining transactions and current donation balance
• Fast-track your search for restaurants, bars and clubs in select locales
• View the latest updates on new merchants and opportunities to earn bonus donations
• Skip the search and get immediate access to favorite restaurants, bars and clubs
• View restaurant reviews
Why did I stop earning donations?
You are required to maintain a valid email address and remain opted in to receive emails in order to earn donations for transactions at participating restaurants, clubs and bars. If your email becomes undeliverable or you opt out of receiving emails then you will no longer earn donations. To check your email address in your Profile or your current Subscription status, visit the Profile & Subscription Center.
What happens to the donations I’ve already earned if I opt out of receiving emails?
If you opt out of receiving emails, you will no longer earn new donations for subsequent dining activity. However, any previously earned donations will not be affected and will be sent to your selected charity or charities on an annual basis following our standard procedures.
Will I retain my VIP status if I opt out of emails and opt back in later?
Yes, so long as you opt back in to receive emails within the same membership year in which you earned your VIP status. Remember, your membership status resets annually and VIP status must be earned each year. If you opt back in to receive emails after your membership year, has re-set you will have to earn your VIP status again in the current membership year just as you would if you had never opted out.
How does my dining activity get tracked?
When you pay your bill for a qualified dine at a participating restaurant, bar or club using a credit/debit card you've registered with us, we track your total transaction amount and award donations based on your current Membership Level, which are automatically deposited into your GoodDining account.
How do I earn the Review Bonus for completing a review?
Approximately 3-5 days after you have completed a qualified dining transaction, you will be eligible to complete a review of your experience. You can access the review form either through an email sent to you by GoodDining or visiting the Account Center section of the program website. You have 30 days from the dine date to complete the review, and you will be awarded 1% for each completed review. Please allow 30 days for those donations to be deposited into your GoodDining account.
How do my earned donations get deposited into my GoodDining account?
GoodDining tracks your spending, and any donations you earn are automatically deposited into the GoodDining account specified in your profile.
Can I change which charity receives donations from my dining activity?
Yes. Donations will be awarded to whichever charity that you’ve designated in your account profile at the time of the actual dining transaction (i.e. when you use a registered credit or debit card at a program restaurant). It may take 3-5 days for a dining transaction to post to your Account Center, but you do not need to wait for a transaction to post in order to change which charity receives donations from subsequent dining activity. Please note, once a donation is assigned to a charity, it cannot be changed.
When can I expect any earned donations to be deposited into my GoodDining account?
Please allow up to 30 days from the date of your qualified dining transaction for your donations to be deposited into your GoodDining account. Please allow 4-6 weeks for any donations earned through completing reviews to be deposited.
Do I need to let the restaurant know I'm a member of the GoodDining Program?
No. The GoodDining Program is a totally discreet way to earn donations, with the following features:
• No ID card to present
• No special coupon to redeem
• No membership number to remember
• No one knows you're using the GoodDining Program
Is GoodDining.com a secure website?
Yes. When you register your credit card or access your account information, you are accessing our secure server. The secure server software (SSL) encrypts all information you input before it is sent to us. Additionally, all of the customer data we collect is protected against unauthorized access.
The Search function does not seem to be working. Does the site require a special browser or plug-in?
How do I access the GoodDining website to monitor the donations I've earned through the program, view recent transactions and view the most up-to-date listings of participating restaurants?
Just go to www.GoodDining.com and make sure you’re logged in. All your past dining transactions can be viewed in "My Account Center" when you log in with your GoodDining Login ID and password.
Can you use the Discover Card?
Yes, GoodDining recognizes Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express as valid forms of payment at restaurants.
Can I use gift card and still earn rewards?
As far as a pre-paid visa/MasterCard, etc., yes, as long as it has been registered with the program. As far as a restaurant gift card, the card cannot be registered as a valid card in member’s profile, however, they can earn donations if they use a registered card to cover the balance of the ticket. Note: they will only earn donations on the portion that was paid with the registered credit/debit card.
Where do I go if I want to recommend a restaurant to join the program?
Send us an email at information@goodsearch.com or encourage the restaurant to contact Rewards Network (www.rewardsnetwork.com)
Can I have one credit card in another program and one credit card in GoodDining?
Yes, however if you register your card with GoodDining and then try to register the same card with Rapid Rewards Dining, the card would no longer be valid to earn donations.
Do you have an iPhone app?
GoodDining is currently not available in an iPhone app though it is something we plan to explore in the future
GoodDining Emails
Can I choose to stop receiving emails from the GoodDining Program?
Yes, you can unsubscribe or “opt out” of receiving emails at any time by visiting the Profile & Subscription Center. If you do so, however, your dining transactions will no longer earn donations. Maintaining a valid, deliverable email address and remaining opted in to receiving emails is required to earn donations.
How do I know if I've opted in to receive emails?
Log in to your Profile & Subscription Center and check to see that the checkbox in the lower left hand corner of the Email Subscription section is unchecked. If it is not, validate your email address, uncheck the box and click Update.
What type of emails will I be receiving and how often will they come?
Approximately once a week you will receive promotional emails from GoodDining that confirm your status in the program, inform you of member favorite restaurants and notify you of restaurants that have entered or left the program. You may also receive administrative emails, such as confirmations of your recent dining transactions.
How do I ensure delivery of GoodDining emails?
Make sure you've provided a working, deliverable email address in your Profile & Subscription Center and verify that the checkbox in the Email Subscription section is unchecked. This is required to earn donations. Also, to ensure delivery of our messages to your inbox, you can add our address (GoodDining@rewardsnetwork.com) to your Address Book or Safe Senders List. Finally, make sure your inbox isn't full and is capable of receiving new messages.
How do I change my email subscription status?
You can opt in or opt out of promotional email communication by visiting your Profile & Subscription Center. In the Email Subscription section, you can click on the checkbox to opt out of promotional emails, or unclick it to opt in. After making your choice, simply click on the Update button. You will then receive a confirmation email from us letting you know that your account information has been updated. Please note that you can quickly get to your Profile and Subscription Center by clicking on the "unsubscribe" or "modify your email profile" link at the bottom of our emails. Remember that maintaining a valid, deliverable email address and remaining opted in to receiving emails is required to earn donations. If you choose to unsubscribe, your dining transactions will no longer earn donations. Keep in mind that you will continue to receive administrative emails about your account (e.g., benefit confirmation emails) even after you have opted out.
Will I still receive emails if I opt-out?
If you opt-out of promotional emails, GoodDining may still send you administrative emails. These include service related announcements that tell you about updates to our Privacy Policy, Terms and Conditions, changes to our program and other information we feel members should know.
I opted-out from receiving promotional emails, why am I still receiving them?
Please note that our systems require time to update, so it may take up to 10 days before your account fully reflects your opt-out preference.
What happens if my email address becomes undeliverable?
If after multiple attempts over many days we are unable to deliver emails to you, we will mark your email address as undeliverable. At that point, you will need to provide us with a new, valid email address if you want to receive emails and have your dining transactions continue to qualify toward earning donations.
What happens if I mark or report a GoodDining email as SPAM?
If your mark a GoodDining email as SPAM, we will no longer send any emails to your email address and your dining transactions will no longer qualify toward earning donations.
What do I do if I marked an email as SPAM accidentally?
Once you have marked a GoodDining email as SPAM, the only way to change your email status and once again become an Active Member is to provide us with a new email address and opt in to receive emails at that new address.
How can I choose between receiving HTML or text-only emails?
To choose between HTML and text-only emails, simply go to your Profile & Subscription Center and modify your email format preference.
How do the sharing settings work?
When you click Connect with Facebook in the Account Center and complete the steps that follow, you allow Facebook to automatically publish your reviews to your Facebook account. It's a great way to share your opinions with friends!
If you've modified your sharing settings but don't want to post a particular review, no problem! Just unclick the "Post my review to Facebook" checkbox on the review page itself.
If you haven't modified your sharing settings, but later decide you'd like to post a particular review, simply click the "Post my review to Facebook" checkbox.
You can delete any review you've posted to Facebook by scrolling over the review on Facebook and clicking Remove.
You may disable your connection with Facebook at any time.