You’re mid-session, you tab over to your browser to look up a quick game guide or check a flight, and suddenly you're staring at an Amazon product page. It’s annoying. You didn’t ask to shop; you asked to search.
If you've noticed Opera GX switches to Amazon search out of nowhere, you aren't alone. This isn't usually a virus or some weird glitch that broke your computer. It’s actually a mix of aggressive "affiliate" features and specific settings that Opera—which is, let’s be real, a company that needs to make money—has baked into the browser.
Honestly, the "gamer browser" is great for limiting RAM, but the way it sneaks in shopping redirects can feel kinda shady if you don't know why it's happening.
Why Does This Keep Happening?
Most of the time, this isn't a permanent "switch" of your search engine, even though it feels like it. It’s usually triggered by two things: Search engine keywords and Promotional suggestions.
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Opera has these things called "Search Engine Keywords." Basically, if you type "a" followed by a space in your address bar, Opera thinks you're trying to search Amazon specifically. If you're a fast typer and accidentally hit 'a' before your search term, boom—you're on Amazon.
But there’s a more "forced" version of this. Opera often partners with retailers. Sometimes, they test features where specific queries or "enhanced address bar" suggestions prioritize shopping results. They call it "convenience." Users often call it "adware-lite."
The "Affiliate" Factor
Opera’s business model relies heavily on partnerships. When you search through their default engines or click those "Speed Dial" tiles for Amazon or eBay, they get a kickback. In 2024 and 2025, Opera actually expanded their partnership with Google for AI, but for shopping? Amazon remains a massive partner.
If you're seeing redirects to URLs like amzn-adserver.com before the page loads, that’s an affiliate link. Opera is basically "tagging" your visit so they get credit for anything you buy.
How to Fix Opera GX Switching to Amazon Search
If you want your browser back to normal, you have to go on a bit of a scavenger hunt through the settings. It’s not just one toggle; it’s usually three or four.
1. The "Keyword" Problem
Go to your settings and search for "Manage search engines." You'll see a list of defaults: Google (g), DuckDuckGo (d), and Amazon (a).
- The Catch: Opera generally doesn't let you delete these default engines.
- The Workaround: You just have to be careful not to trigger them. However, you can add a custom search engine and make it your primary, which sometimes overrides the "ghost" switches.
2. Kill the "Promotional Suggestions"
This is the big one. Opera GX has an "Enhanced Address Bar" feature. While it's meant to be helpful, it’s often the culprit behind the Amazon redirects.
- Open Settings (Alt+P).
- Look for Privacy & Security.
- Find "Display promotional notifications" and "Receive promotional Speed Dials." Turn them off.
- Search for "Improve search suggestions" and toggle that off too.
3. Check for "Continue Shopping" Tiles
Opera GX loves to "help" you finish your shopping. If you have the "Continue shopping" section enabled on your start page, it can sometimes mess with the address bar's behavior because the browser is actively tracking your Amazon cookies to show you those tiles.
Right-click your Start Page, hit "Start Page Settings," and disable anything that mentions "Shopping" or "Amazon."
Is It Actually Malware?
Usually? No. But sometimes? Kinda.
If you’ve disabled all the settings above and Opera GX switches to Amazon search anyway—or if it happens in every browser you own—you might have a browser hijacker. These are malicious extensions or "helper" programs that sneak onto your PC when you download free software.
They "hook" into your browser's API and force redirects to affiliate pages to generate revenue for the hacker.
How to tell the difference:
- Does it happen in Incognito? If yes, it’s likely a browser setting or an extension with "Allow in Incognito" turned on.
- Does it happen in Chrome/Firefox too? If yes, you have a system-wide infection. Run a scan with Malwarebytes or AdwCleaner.
- Check your extensions: Go to
opera://extensions. If you see something you didn't install—especially something with a generic name like "Search Manager" or "Web Helper"—kill it immediately.
Why People Are Actually Switching to Firefox or Brave
Look, Opera GX is flashy. The RGB integration and the CPU limiter are genuinely cool features for gamers who want to keep their browser open while playing Cyberpunk or Valorant.
But the "shopping redirects" have left a bad taste in people's mouths. Lately, there’s been a lot of chatter on Reddit and tech forums about Opera's parent company (Kunlun Tech) and their aggressive monetization.
If you value a "clean" search experience where the browser doesn't try to make a buck off your every query, you might find Opera GX's "agentic AI" and shopping integrations a bit too much. Brave and Firefox don't have these "hardcoded" shopping keywords that you can't delete.
Actionable Steps to Keep Your Search Clean
If you're sticking with Opera GX but want to stop the Amazon madness, do this right now:
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- Clear your Cookies and Cache: Sometimes a "bad" affiliate cookie gets stuck and keeps forcing the redirect. Go to
opera://settings/clearBrowserDataand wipe the slate clean. - Disable "Show product suggestions": This is buried under the "Privacy & Security" section in settings. It’s the primary way Opera pushes Amazon results into your address bar.
- Use a Keyword for Google: If the browser feels "confused," get in the habit of typing
g [your search term]. It tells the browser "Hey, use Google, don't guess." - Audit your "Speed Dials": Delete the default Amazon tile. If it's there, the browser is more likely to prioritize Amazon in the search suggestions.
Staying on top of these settings ensures that your "gamer browser" stays a tool for gaming, not just a glorified shopping portal for Amazon.