Set your search engine in Firefox's settings, not through your browser bar
Firefox lets you pick which search engine runs when you type in the address bar or use the search box. You do this in Firefox's settings menu, not by changing anything in your toolbar. The search engine you choose here is what Firefox uses whenever you search from the browser itself — it does not change which search engine your home page uses, and it does not affect searches you do on Google's website or any other website directly.
The steps are the same whether you use Windows, Mac, or Linux. You can change your default search engine in about two minutes.
Key Takeaways
- Open Firefox settings, go to the Search section, and pick a new search engine from the "Default Search Engine" dropdown menu.
- Firefox comes with several search engines built in: Google, Bing, DuckDuckGo, Wikipedia, and others depending on your region.
- You can add a search engine that is not on the list by visiting its website and using the "Add Search Engine" option that appears in the search box.
- Your choice here only affects searches you type in Firefox's search box or address bar — it does not change searches you do on websites themselves.
How to change your default search engine in three steps
Open Firefox and look at the top right corner. Click the three horizontal lines (called the hamburger menu). From the dropdown, select Settings.
On the left side of the Settings page, click Search. You will see a section labeled "Default Search Engine" with a dropdown menu showing your current choice.
Click the dropdown and select the search engine you want. Firefox will switch to that engine when ready. Close the settings tab when you are done — your choice is saved automatically.
Search engines Firefox includes by default
Firefox comes with several search engines already built in. The list varies slightly by region, but usually includes Google, Bing, DuckDuckGo, Wikipedia, and Amazon. Some regions also have local search engines. You can see all of them by clicking the dropdown in the Default Search Engine menu.
If you want to use a search engine that is not on this list, you do not have to add it manually. Instead, visit that search engine's website (for example, ecosia.org or startpage.com), click in the search box, and look for a button or link that says "Add to Firefox" or "Add Search Engine". Click it, and Firefox will add that engine to your list. Then you can set it as your default using the same steps above.
What happens when you change your default search engine
When you type something in Firefox's search box (the box that appears at the top of a new tab) or type a search term directly in the address bar, Firefox sends that search to whichever engine you set as default. If you type "weather" in the search box, Firefox will search for "weather" using your chosen engine and show you the results.
Changing your default search engine does not change what happens when you search on a website itself. If you go to Google.com and search there, Google handles that search — your Firefox default does not override it. It also does not change your home page or any bookmarks you have saved.
Why you might want to change your search engine
Some people switch to DuckDuckGo or Startpage because those engines do not track your search history the way Google does. Others use Ecosia because it plants trees with its search revenue. Some workplaces or schools set a different default for security reasons. Your choice depends on what matters to you — speed, privacy, or supporting a particular cause.
If you change your mind later, you can always switch back using the same steps. Firefox does not lock you into any choice.
Resetting to Firefox's original default search engine
If you want to go back to whichever search engine Firefox came with on your computer, open Settings, go to Search, and click the dropdown next to "Default Search Engine". Select the engine labeled with a small Firefox icon or the one that says "Firefox" — this is the original default for your region.
You can also reset all of Firefox's settings to their original state by going to Settings, scrolling to the bottom of the General tab, and clicking "Refresh Firefox". This will reset your search engine, home page, and other settings, but it will not delete your bookmarks or saved passwords.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does changing my default search engine in Firefox affect Google on other websites?
No. Your Firefox default only controls what happens when you search from Firefox's search box or address bar. When you visit Google.com or any other website and search there, that website handles the search. Your Firefox setting does not override it.
Can I use a search engine that is not on Firefox's list?
Yes. Visit the search engine's website, click in its search box, and look for an "Add to Firefox" button. Click it, and Firefox will add that engine to your list. Then you can set it as your default. Not every search engine offers this option, but most major ones do.
Will changing my search engine affect my home page?
No. Your home page and your default search engine are separate settings. You can change one without affecting the other. If you want to change your home page, go to Settings, click General, and scroll to the "Home" section.
What if I accidentally change my search engine and want to undo it?
Open Settings, go to Search, and click the dropdown next to "Default Search Engine". Select whichever engine you want. There is no undo button, but you can switch back and forth as many times as you want.
Does Firefox remember which search engine I used before?
No. Firefox only remembers your current default. If you switch from Google to DuckDuckGo and then back to Google, Firefox treats Google as your new default — it does not remember that you used it before.