diff --git a/src/watson/__init__.py b/src/watson/__init__.py
index e4eac4c..26dbd95 100644
--- a/src/watson/__init__.py
+++ b/src/watson/__init__.py
@@ -6,6 +6,8 @@ Developed by Dave Hall.
 <http://www.etianen.com/>
 """
 
+from __future__ import unicode_literals
+
 from watson.admin import SearchAdmin
 from watson.registration import SearchAdapter, default_search_engine, search_context_manager
 
@@ -24,4 +26,4 @@ get_adapter = default_search_engine.get_adapter
 
 
 # Easy context management.
-update_index = search_context_manager.update_index
\ No newline at end of file
+update_index = search_context_manager.update_index
diff --git a/src/watson/admin.py b/src/watson/admin.py
index b15e558..598560f 100644
--- a/src/watson/admin.py
+++ b/src/watson/admin.py
@@ -1,5 +1,7 @@
 """Admin integration for django-watson."""
 
+from __future__ import unicode_literals
+
 from django.contrib import admin
 from django.contrib.admin.views.main import ChangeList
 
@@ -73,4 +75,4 @@ class SearchAdmin(admin.ModelAdmin):
     
     def get_changelist(self, request, **kwargs):
         """Returns the ChangeList class for use on the changelist page."""
-        return WatsonSearchChangeList
\ No newline at end of file
+        return WatsonSearchChangeList
diff --git a/src/watson/backends.py b/src/watson/backends.py
index 650dfd0..002727b 100644
--- a/src/watson/backends.py
+++ b/src/watson/backends.py
@@ -1,5 +1,7 @@
 """Search backends used by django-watson."""
 
+from __future__ import unicode_literals
+
 import re, abc
 
 from django.contrib.contenttypes.models import ContentType
@@ -13,7 +15,7 @@ from watson.models import SearchEntry, has_int_pk
 
 def regex_from_word(word):
     """Generates a regext from the given search word."""
-    return u"(\s{word})|(^{word})".format(
+    return "(\s{word})|(^{word})".format(
         word = re.escape(word),
     )
     
@@ -99,23 +101,23 @@ class RegexSearchMixin(six.with_metaclass(abc.ABCMeta)):
         pk = model._meta.pk
         id = connection.ops.quote_name(pk.db_column or pk.attname)
         # Add in basic filters.
-        word_query = [u"""
+        word_query = ["""
             ({db_table}.{engine_slug} = %s)
         """, """
             ({db_table}.{content_type_id} = %s)
         """]
         word_kwargs= {
-            u"db_table": db_table,
-            u"model_db_table": model_db_table,
-            u"engine_slug": connection.ops.quote_name(u"engine_slug"),
-            u"title": connection.ops.quote_name(u"title"),
-            u"description": connection.ops.quote_name(u"description"),
-            u"content": connection.ops.quote_name(u"content"),
-            u"content_type_id": connection.ops.quote_name(u"content_type_id"),
-            u"object_id": connection.ops.quote_name(u"object_id"),
-            u"object_id_int": connection.ops.quote_name(u"object_id_int"),
-            u"id": id,
-            u"iregex_operator": connection.operators["iregex"],
+            "db_table": db_table,
+            "model_db_table": model_db_table,
+            "engine_slug": connection.ops.quote_name("engine_slug"),
+            "title": connection.ops.quote_name("title"),
+            "description": connection.ops.quote_name("description"),
+            "content": connection.ops.quote_name("content"),
+            "content_type_id": connection.ops.quote_name("content_type_id"),
+            "object_id": connection.ops.quote_name("object_id"),
+            "object_id_int": connection.ops.quote_name("object_id_int"),
+            "id": id,
+            "iregex_operator": connection.operators["iregex"],
         }
         word_args = [
             engine_slug,
@@ -133,12 +135,12 @@ class RegexSearchMixin(six.with_metaclass(abc.ABCMeta)):
         # Add in all words.
         for word in search_text.split():
             regex = regex_from_word(word)
-            word_query.append(u"""
+            word_query.append("""
                 ({db_table}.{title} {iregex_operator} OR {db_table}.{description} {iregex_operator} OR {db_table}.{content} {iregex_operator}) 
             """)
             word_args.extend((regex, regex, regex))
         # Compile the query.
-        full_word_query = u" AND ".join(word_query).format(**word_kwargs)
+        full_word_query = " AND ".join(word_query).format(**word_kwargs)
         return queryset.extra(
             tables = (db_table,),
             where = (full_word_query,),
@@ -151,7 +153,7 @@ class RegexSearchBackend(RegexSearchMixin, SearchBackend):
     """A search backend that works with SQLite3."""
 
 
-escape_postgres_query_chars = make_escaper(u"():|!&*'")
+escape_postgres_query_chars = make_escaper("():|!&*'")
 
 
 class PostgresSearchBackend(SearchBackend):
@@ -163,8 +165,8 @@ class PostgresSearchBackend(SearchBackend):
 
     def escape_postgres_query(self, text):
         """Escapes the given text to become a valid ts_query."""
-        return u" & ".join(
-            u"{0}:*".format(word)
+        return " & ".join(
+            "{0}:*".format(word)
             for word
             in escape_postgres_query_chars(text).split()
         )
@@ -305,7 +307,7 @@ class PostgresLegacySearchBackend(PostgresSearchBackend):
     
     def escape_postgres_query(self, text):
         """Escapes the given text to become a valid ts_query."""
-        return u" & ".join(escape_postgres_query_chars(text).split())
+        return " & ".join(escape_postgres_query_chars(text).split())
 
 
 class PostgresPrefixLegacySearchBackend(RegexSearchMixin, PostgresLegacySearchBackend):
@@ -319,11 +321,11 @@ class PostgresPrefixLegacySearchBackend(RegexSearchMixin, PostgresLegacySearchBa
     """
         
 
-escape_mysql_boolean_query_chars = make_escaper(u"+-<>()*\"")
+escape_mysql_boolean_query_chars = make_escaper("+-<>()*\"")
 
 def escape_mysql_boolean_query(search_text):
-    return u" ".join(
-        u'+{word}*'.format(
+    return " ".join(
+        '+{word}*'.format(
             word = word,
         )
         for word in escape_mysql_boolean_query_chars(search_text).split()
diff --git a/src/watson/management/__init__.py b/src/watson/management/__init__.py
index da78763..44a4bbb 100644
--- a/src/watson/management/__init__.py
+++ b/src/watson/management/__init__.py
@@ -1 +1,3 @@
-"""Management routines used by django-watson."""
\ No newline at end of file
+"""Management routines used by django-watson."""
+
+from __future__ import unicode_literals
diff --git a/src/watson/management/commands/__init__.py b/src/watson/management/commands/__init__.py
index d885917..151c48b 100644
--- a/src/watson/management/commands/__init__.py
+++ b/src/watson/management/commands/__init__.py
@@ -1 +1,3 @@
-"""Management commands used by django-watson."""
\ No newline at end of file
+"""Management commands used by django-watson."""
+
+from __future__ import unicode_literals
diff --git a/src/watson/management/commands/buildwatson.py b/src/watson/management/commands/buildwatson.py
index 8766e60..b683aaa 100644
--- a/src/watson/management/commands/buildwatson.py
+++ b/src/watson/management/commands/buildwatson.py
@@ -1,5 +1,7 @@
 """Rebuilds the database indices needed by django-watson."""
 
+from __future__ import unicode_literals, print_function
+
 from django.core.management.base import NoArgsCommand
 from django.contrib import admin
 from django.contrib.contenttypes.models import ContentType
@@ -32,21 +34,21 @@ class Command(NoArgsCommand):
                     entries_to_create.extend(search_engine._update_obj_index_iter(obj))
                     local_refreshed_model_count += 1
                     if verbosity >= 3:
-                        print(u"Refreshed search entry for {model} {obj} in {engine_slug!r} search engine.".format(
+                        print("Refreshed search entry for {model} {obj} in {engine_slug!r} search engine.".format(
                             model = model._meta.verbose_name,
                             obj = obj,
                             engine_slug = engine_slug,
                         ))
                 refreshed_model_count += local_refreshed_model_count
                 if verbosity == 2:
-                    print(u"Refreshed {local_refreshed_model_count} {model} search entry(s) in {engine_slug!r} search engine.".format(
+                    print("Refreshed {local_refreshed_model_count} {model} search entry(s) in {engine_slug!r} search engine.".format(
                         model = model._meta.verbose_name,
                         local_refreshed_model_count = local_refreshed_model_count,
                         engine_slug = engine_slug,
                     ))
             _bulk_save_search_entries(entries_to_create)
             if verbosity == 1:
-                print(u"Refreshed {refreshed_model_count} search entry(s) in {engine_slug!r} search engine.".format(
+                print("Refreshed {refreshed_model_count} search entry(s) in {engine_slug!r} search engine.".format(
                     refreshed_model_count = refreshed_model_count,
                     engine_slug = engine_slug,
                 ))
@@ -61,7 +63,7 @@ class Command(NoArgsCommand):
             if stale_entry_count > 0:
                 stale_entries.delete()
             if verbosity >= 1:
-                print(u"Deleted {stale_entry_count} stale search entry(s) in {engine_slug!r} search engine.".format(
+                print("Deleted {stale_entry_count} stale search entry(s) in {engine_slug!r} search engine.".format(
                     stale_entry_count = stale_entry_count,
                     engine_slug = engine_slug,
                 ))
diff --git a/src/watson/management/commands/installwatson.py b/src/watson/management/commands/installwatson.py
index 1540a3b..da90a95 100644
--- a/src/watson/management/commands/installwatson.py
+++ b/src/watson/management/commands/installwatson.py
@@ -1,5 +1,7 @@
 """Creates the database indices needed by django-watson."""
 
+from __future__ import unicode_literals
+
 from django.core.management.base import NoArgsCommand
 from django.db import transaction
 
@@ -24,4 +26,4 @@ class Command(NoArgsCommand):
         else:
             backend.do_install()
             if verbosity >= 2:
-                self.stdout.write("django-watson has been successfully installed.\n")
\ No newline at end of file
+                self.stdout.write("django-watson has been successfully installed.\n")
diff --git a/src/watson/management/commands/uninstallwatson.py b/src/watson/management/commands/uninstallwatson.py
index 66af0a4..b86b9ff 100644
--- a/src/watson/management/commands/uninstallwatson.py
+++ b/src/watson/management/commands/uninstallwatson.py
@@ -1,5 +1,7 @@
 """Destroys the database indices needed by django-watson."""
 
+from __future__ import unicode_literals
+
 from django.core.management.base import NoArgsCommand
 from django.db import transaction
 
@@ -24,4 +26,4 @@ class Command(NoArgsCommand):
                 self.stdout.write("django-watson has been successfully uninstalled.\n")
         else:
             if verbosity >= 2:
-                self.stdout.write("django-watson is not installed.\n")
\ No newline at end of file
+                self.stdout.write("django-watson is not installed.\n")
diff --git a/src/watson/middleware.py b/src/watson/middleware.py
index 56c05f7..64a364d 100644
--- a/src/watson/middleware.py
+++ b/src/watson/middleware.py
@@ -1,5 +1,7 @@
 """Middleware used by django-watson."""
 
+from __future__ import unicode_literals
+
 from watson.registration import search_context_manager
 
 
@@ -29,4 +31,4 @@ class SearchContextMiddleware(object):
     def process_exception(self, request, exception):
         """Closes the search context."""
         search_context_manager.invalidate()    
-        self._close_search_context(request)
\ No newline at end of file
+        self._close_search_context(request)
diff --git a/src/watson/models.py b/src/watson/models.py
index f29c693..0a846e2 100644
--- a/src/watson/models.py
+++ b/src/watson/models.py
@@ -1,5 +1,7 @@
 """Models used by django-watson."""
 
+from __future__ import unicode_literals
+
 from django.db import models
 from django.contrib.contenttypes.models import ContentType
 from django.contrib.contenttypes import generic
@@ -85,4 +87,4 @@ class SearchEntry(models.Model):
         return self.title
         
     class Meta:
-        verbose_name_plural = "search entries"
\ No newline at end of file
+        verbose_name_plural = "search entries"
diff --git a/src/watson/registration.py b/src/watson/registration.py
index e107e10..1de8f1c 100644
--- a/src/watson/registration.py
+++ b/src/watson/registration.py
@@ -1,5 +1,7 @@
 """Adapters for registering models with django-watson."""
 
+from __future__ import unicode_literals
+
 import sys
 from itertools import chain
 from threading import local
@@ -66,11 +68,11 @@ class SearchAdapter(object):
         # Look up recursive fields.
         if len(name_parts) == 2:
             if isinstance(value, (QuerySet, models.Manager)):
-                return u" ".join(force_text(self._resolve_field(obj, name_parts[1])) for obj in value.all())
+                return " ".join(force_text(self._resolve_field(obj, name_parts[1])) for obj in value.all())
             return self._resolve_field(value, name_parts[1])
         # Resolve querysets.
         if isinstance(value, (QuerySet, models.Manager)):
-            value = u" ".join(force_text(related) for related in value.all())
+            value = " ".join(force_text(related) for related in value.all())
         # Resolution complete!
         return value
     
@@ -98,9 +100,9 @@ class SearchAdapter(object):
         this should contains a short description of the search entry, it's excellent for providing a summary
         in your search results.
         
-        The default implementation returns `u""`.
+        The default implementation returns `""`.
         """
-        return u""
+        return ""
         
     def get_content(self, obj):
         """
@@ -116,7 +118,7 @@ class SearchAdapter(object):
         # Exclude named fields.
         field_names = (field_name for field_name in field_names if field_name not in self.exclude)
         # Create the text.
-        return self.prepare_content(u" ".join(
+        return self.prepare_content(" ".join(
             force_text(self._resolve_field(obj, field_name))
             for field_name in field_names
         ))
@@ -125,7 +127,7 @@ class SearchAdapter(object):
         """Return the URL of the given obj."""
         if hasattr(obj, "get_absolute_url"):
             return obj.get_absolute_url()
-        return u""
+        return ""
     
     def get_meta(self, obj):
         """Returns a dictionary of meta information about the given obj."""
@@ -331,7 +333,8 @@ class SearchEngine(object):
             ))
         # Perform any customization.
         if field_overrides:
-            adapter_cls = type("Custom" + adapter_cls.__name__, (adapter_cls,), field_overrides)
+            # Conversion to str is needed because Python 2 doesn't accept unicode for class name
+            adapter_cls = type(str("Custom") + adapter_cls.__name__, (adapter_cls,), field_overrides)
         # Perform the registration.
         adapter_obj = adapter_cls(model)
         self._registered_models[model] = adapter_obj
diff --git a/src/watson/templatetags/__init__.py b/src/watson/templatetags/__init__.py
index 265ebf1..2c28d32 100644
--- a/src/watson/templatetags/__init__.py
+++ b/src/watson/templatetags/__init__.py
@@ -1 +1,3 @@
-"""Template tags used by watson search."""
\ No newline at end of file
+"""Template tags used by watson search."""
+
+from __future__ import unicode_literals
diff --git a/src/watson/templatetags/watson.py b/src/watson/templatetags/watson.py
index 2164f78..cf799b9 100644
--- a/src/watson/templatetags/watson.py
+++ b/src/watson/templatetags/watson.py
@@ -1,5 +1,7 @@
 """Template helpers used by watsons search."""
 
+from __future__ import unicode_literals
+
 from django import template
 
 
@@ -45,4 +47,4 @@ def search_result_item(context, search_result):
             "watson/includes/search_result_item.html",
         ), context)
     finally:
-        context.pop()
\ No newline at end of file
+        context.pop()
diff --git a/src/watson/tests.py b/src/watson/tests.py
index 99f5ba6..89b553e 100644
--- a/src/watson/tests.py
+++ b/src/watson/tests.py
@@ -6,6 +6,8 @@ that are 3 letters or fewer. Thus, the standard metasyntactic variables in
 these tests have been amended to 'fooo' and 'baar'. Ho hum.
 """
 
+from __future__ import unicode_literals
+
 import os
 from unittest import skipUnless
 
@@ -444,14 +446,14 @@ class RankingTest(SearchTestBase):
     def testRankingWithSearch(self):
         self.assertEqual(
             [entry.title for entry in watson.search("FOOO")],
-            [u"title model1 instance11 fooo baar fooo", u"title model1 instance12"]
+            ["title model1 instance11 fooo baar fooo", "title model1 instance12"]
         )
             
     @skipUnless(get_backend().supports_ranking, "search backend does not support ranking")
     def testRankingWithFilter(self):
         self.assertEqual(
             [entry.title for entry in watson.filter(WatsonTestModel1, "FOOO")],
-            [u"title model1 instance11 fooo baar fooo", u"title model1 instance12"]
+            ["title model1 instance11 fooo baar fooo", "title model1 instance12"]
         )
 
 
diff --git a/src/watson/urls.py b/src/watson/urls.py
index 5368323..d49ff11 100644
--- a/src/watson/urls.py
+++ b/src/watson/urls.py
@@ -1,5 +1,7 @@
 """URLs for the built-in site search functionality."""
 
+from __future__ import unicode_literals
+
 try:
     from django.conf.urls import *
 except ImportError:  # Django<1.4
@@ -12,4 +14,4 @@ urlpatterns = patterns("watson.views",
     
     url("^json/$", "search_json", name="search_json"),
 
-)
\ No newline at end of file
+)
diff --git a/src/watson/views.py b/src/watson/views.py
index 2c47b4f..7c21762 100644
--- a/src/watson/views.py
+++ b/src/watson/views.py
@@ -1,5 +1,7 @@
 """Views used by the built-in site search functionality."""
 
+from __future__ import unicode_literals
+
 from django.shortcuts import redirect
 from django.http import HttpResponse
 from django.utils import simplejson as json
@@ -40,7 +42,7 @@ class SearchMixin(object):
     
     def get_query(self, request):
         """Parses the query from the request."""
-        return request.GET.get(self.get_query_param(), u"").strip()
+        return request.GET.get(self.get_query_param(), "").strip()
     
     empty_query_redirect = None