diff --git a/groups.info b/groups.info
index 4f5482d..02a709a 100644
--- a/groups.info
+++ b/groups.info
@@ -116,3 +116,4 @@ dependencies[] = groups_language_switcher
 dependencies[] = groups_directory
 dependencies[] = groups_footer
 dependencies[] = groups_homepage
+dependencies[] = groups_common
diff --git a/modules/groups/groups_common/groups_common.info b/modules/groups/groups_common/groups_common.info
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..0961ad2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/modules/groups/groups_common/groups_common.info
@@ -0,0 +1,6 @@
+name = Groups Common
+description = Common hooks and settings for Groups project
+core = 7.x
+package = Groups - Common
+version = 7.x-1.0
+project = groups_common
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/modules/groups/groups_common/groups_common.install b/modules/groups/groups_common/groups_common.install
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..1ea9abf
--- /dev/null
+++ b/modules/groups/groups_common/groups_common.install
@@ -0,0 +1,10 @@
+<?php
+
+function groups_common_enable() {
+  // need to raise weight to override custom_search module settings
+  db_update('system')
+    ->fields(array('weight' => 110))
+    ->condition('type', 'module')
+    ->condition('name', 'groups_common')
+    ->execute();
+}
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/modules/groups/groups_common/groups_common.module b/modules/groups/groups_common/groups_common.module
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..bf72e41
--- /dev/null
+++ b/modules/groups/groups_common/groups_common.module
@@ -0,0 +1,10 @@
+<?php
+
+function groups_common_form_alter(&$form, &$form_state, $form_id) {
+
+  if ($form_id == 'search_block_form') {
+    // remove content selector from search block
+    $form['custom_search_types']['#type'] = 'hidden';
+    $form['custom_search_types']['#default_value'] = 'o-search_facetapi';
+  }
+}
\ No newline at end of file