What is MIME type "application/opensearchdescription+xml"?

A MIME type is a string that tells browsers and other tools how to handle a particular kind of file.

application/opensearchdescription+xml is a MIME type that specifies a file format using XML to describe a search engine's details. It tells browsers how to plug in a website’s search feature.

The file details the search URL, query parameters, and other settings. This lets browsers automatically configure search boxes without extra setup.

• Discovery: Websites publish these files so browsers can detect and add new search engines.
• Integration: It enables seamless search integration in browsers and applications.
• Customization: It allows the definition of custom search parameters and icons.

This format supports a flexible and standardized approach to search integration. For more details, visit the OpenSearch official site.

Associated file extensions

.xml

Usage Examples

HTTP Header

When serving content with this MIME type, set the Content-Type header:

    Content-Type: application/opensearchdescription+xml
  

HTML

In HTML, you can specify the MIME type in various elements:

    <a href="file.dat" type="application/opensearchdescription+xml">Download file</a>
  

Server-side (Node.js)

Setting the Content-Type header in Node.js:

    const http = require('http');
    
    http.createServer((req, res) => {
      res.setHeader('Content-Type', 'application/opensearchdescription+xml');
      res.end('Content here');
    }).listen(3000);
  

Associated file extensions

.xml