Chrome uses Google as the default search engine, but you can switch to Bing, DuckDuckGo, Yahoo, or another search engine in about one minute

When you type a search directly into Chrome's address bar (called the omnibox), Chrome sends that search to whatever engine you have set as default. By default, that is Google. If you want your searches to go to a different engine instead — whether for privacy, preference, or because your workplace uses a specific one — you change this setting in Chrome's search engine menu, not in your browser's general settings.

The process is the same whether you use Chrome on Windows, Mac, or Linux. You do not need to install anything or restart your browser.

Key Takeaways

  • Open Chrome, click the three-dot menu in the top right, select Settings, then search for "search engine" to find the default engine menu.
  • Chrome lists all search engines you have used; click the one you want to set as default, and it takes effect when ready.
  • If your preferred search engine does not appear in the list, you can add it manually by typing a search into that engine first, then returning to the menu.
  • Changing your default search engine does not affect which search results you see when you click a search result link — only searches typed into the address bar.

Open Chrome Settings and find the search engine menu

Click the three vertical dots in the top right corner of Chrome. A menu will drop down. Click Settings.

On the left side of the Settings page, click Search engine. You will see a section labeled "Search engine used in the address bar" with a dropdown menu showing your current default.

Select a different search engine from the list

Click the dropdown menu under "Search engine used in the address bar." Chrome shows you every search engine it has detected from your browsing history — usually Google, Bing, Yahoo, and DuckDuckGo if you have visited those sites.

Click whichever engine you want to use. The change takes effect when ready. The next time you type a search into the address bar, Chrome will send it to the engine you selected.

Add a search engine that is not in the list

If the search engine you want does not appear in the dropdown, you need to visit that search engine's website first so Chrome can detect it. Open a new tab, go to the search engine's homepage (for example, duckduckgo.com or ecosia.com), and perform one search using their search box.

Then return to Settings > Search engine. The new engine should now appear in the dropdown. Click it to set it as default.

If it still does not appear after you have searched with it, you can add it manually. Scroll down to "Other search engines" and click Add. Type the engine's name, the shortcut you want to use (for example, "d" for DuckDuckGo), and the search URL. You can find the search URL by visiting the engine's site, performing a search, and copying the URL from your address bar — then replacing your search term with %s.

Understand what this setting does and does not change

Changing your default search engine only affects searches you type into Chrome's address bar. It does not change which engine powers search results when you click a link from a website, use a search widget on your home page, or search from within another browser or process.

If you use Google's homepage or search box directly, those searches still go to Google regardless of your Chrome default. The default only applies to the omnibox — the address bar at the top of the browser.

Switch back to Google or change engines again anytime

You can change your default search engine as many times as you want. Return to Settings > Search engine and click a different engine from the dropdown. There is no limit to how often you can switch.

If you want to go back to Google, follow the same steps and select Google from the list.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing my search engine affect my bookmarks or browsing history?

No. Changing your default search engine only changes where your address bar searches go. Your bookmarks, history, passwords, and all other Chrome data remain exactly the same.

Does my search engine choice affect my privacy?

Different search engines have different privacy policies. Google, Bing, and Yahoo collect search data tied to your account. DuckDuckGo and Ecosia do not track searches by default. Read the privacy policy of any engine you are considering to understand what data they collect.

What if I want different search engines for different purposes?

Chrome only allows one default search engine at a time. If you need to use multiple engines regularly, you can open each engine's homepage in a tab and search from there, or use Chrome profiles — separate user accounts within Chrome that can have different settings.

Can I set a different default search engine for incognito mode?

No. Incognito mode uses the same default search engine as your regular browsing. However, incognito mode does not save your search history or cookies, so your searches are not tied to your account.

Why does my search engine keep changing back to Google?

Some websites or extensions can change your default search engine without your permission. Check Settings > Extensions to see if any extension has permission to change settings. You can also run a malware scan using Chrome's built-in tool: Settings > Reset and clean up > Clean up computer.