diff --git a/docs/changelog.txt b/docs/changelog.txt
index 5fbf39c..1d3828b 100644
--- a/docs/changelog.txt
+++ b/docs/changelog.txt
@@ -1,5 +1,9 @@
 changelog
 
+=== next
+
++ search can now load external posts
+
 === 0.9.91 One More Time
 
 + Swallow a follow bug.
diff --git a/docs/honk.1 b/docs/honk.1
index e1aef57..a5578e0 100644
--- a/docs/honk.1
+++ b/docs/honk.1
@@ -170,6 +170,7 @@ The
 page lists recently seen honkers that are not otherwise tracked.
 It also allows the import of external objects via URL, either individual
 posts or actor URLs, in which case their recent outbox is imported.
+Probably easier to use the search box for this.
 .Ss Account
 It's all about you.
 An avatar may be selected from the
diff --git a/views/xzone.html b/views/xzone.html
index 5bc1015..9684a95 100644
--- a/views/xzone.html
+++ b/views/xzone.html
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@
 <form action="/ximport" method="POST">
 <input type="hidden" name="CSRF" value="{{ .XCSRF }}">
 <p><span class="title">import</span>
-<p><input tabindex=1 type="text" name="xid" autocomplete=off> - xid
+<p><input tabindex=1 type="text" name="q" autocomplete=off> - xid
 <p><button tabindex=1 name="fetch" value="fetch">fetch</button>
 </form>
 </div>
diff --git a/web.go b/web.go
index bb1bff5..7792b71 100644
--- a/web.go
+++ b/web.go
@@ -549,7 +549,7 @@ func serveractor(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
 
 func ximport(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
 	u := login.GetUserInfo(r)
-	xid := strings.TrimSpace(r.FormValue("xid"))
+	xid := strings.TrimSpace(r.FormValue("q"))
 	xonk := getxonk(u.UserID, xid)
 	if xonk == nil {
 		p, _ := investigate(xid)
@@ -788,6 +788,10 @@ func showconvoy(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
 }
 func showsearch(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
 	q := r.FormValue("q")
+	if strings.HasPrefix(q, "https://") {
+		ximport(w, r)
+		return
+	}
 	u := login.GetUserInfo(r)
 	honks := gethonksbysearch(u.UserID, q, 0)
 	templinfo := getInfo(r)