[linMcHlp]

The following HTML line, in the raw HTML source, near the top of an FR webpage - notice the asterisk for the "value" - that is the asterisk for the Search field.

input type="text" name="s" size="20" value="*" class="text" onfocus="this.select(); site_search_focus(1);" onblur="site_search_focus(0)"

Sounds like, that asterisk is being replaced by a "1".

Clear caches, cookies, history, and maybe site pref. data.

[linMcHlp]

Reply 30 . . . and quit the Internet browser, quit other applications, restart your computer.

[Boomer]

Thanks for the constructive advice. I did all of the above and it still does it. I tried using a different browser than the one I always use for FR and it still does it even though I’m not logged in.

For whatever reason the browsers automatically add “/tag/1/index?tab=articles” to “https://freerepublic.com“. Even a browser I’ve never used for FR and without being logged in.