Firefox lets you pick which search engine opens when you search from the address bar

When you type a question or phrase into Firefox's address bar (the box at the top where you normally type a web address), Firefox sends that search to a default search engine. By default, that engine is Google. You can change it to Bing, DuckDuckGo, Wikipedia, Amazon, or several others — or even add a search engine that is not on the built-in list.

The change takes about 30 seconds and lives in Firefox's settings. It does not affect which search engine you use when you click a search box on a website itself, only the one that handles searches from the address bar.

Key Takeaways

  • Open Firefox settings, select the Search section, and pick a new default search engine from the dropdown menu under "Default Search Engine".
  • Firefox comes with Google, Bing, DuckDuckGo, Wikipedia, and Amazon as built-in options; you do not need to install anything to switch between them.
  • You can add a custom search engine by visiting a website's search page, right-clicking the search box, and selecting "Add a Keyword for this Search".
  • Your choice only affects searches from the address bar, not searches you run through a website's own search box.
  • The setting syncs across devices if you sign into the same Firefox account on multiple computers or phones.

How to switch to a different built-in search engine

Open Firefox and click the menu button (three horizontal lines) in the top right corner. Select Settings. On the left side, click Search.

Under the heading "Default Search Engine," you will see a dropdown menu showing your current choice. Click it to see the list: Google, Bing, DuckDuckGo, Wikipedia, and Amazon are the standard options. Select whichever one you want. The change takes effect when ready — the next time you search from the address bar, it will use your new engine.

If you want to use a search engine only sometimes, you can also add others to the list below without making them the default. Click the + button next to "One-Click Search Engines" to add Ecosia, Startpage, or others. Then you can click their icon in the search bar when you want to use them for a single search.

How to add a search engine that is not on the built-in list

If you want to use a search engine Firefox does not include by default, you can add it yourself. Go to that search engine's website — for example, searx.me or any other search tool you prefer. Find the search box on the page, right-click it, and select Add a Keyword for this Search.

Firefox will ask you to give it a short name (like "Searx") and a keyword — a one or two letter shortcut you can type in the address bar to trigger that search. For example, if you set the keyword to "s", you can type "s your question" in the address bar and it will search Searx. Click Add to save it.

The new engine appears in your one-click list, and you can make it your default by going back to Settings > Search and selecting it from the dropdown. Not all websites' search boxes work with this method — it works best on sites with a traditional search field.

Why you might want to change your default search engine

Google is the most widely used search engine, but it is not the only choice. Some people switch to DuckDuckGo because it does not store a profile of your searches tied to your account. Others use Bing because they earn rewards points through Microsoft. Wikipedia is useful if you want to search an encyclopedia rather than the whole web. The choice depends on what matters to you — speed, privacy, rewards, or the type of results you get.

Changing your default does not make you anonymous online or hide your searches from your internet provider. It only changes which company's servers handle the search request. If privacy is your concern, using a search engine that does not track you is one piece of the picture, but it works best alongside other practices like using a VPN or clearing your browser history regularly.

How to undo the change or switch back

If you change your mind, go back to Settings > Search and select a different engine from the dropdown. There is no limit to how many times you can switch. You can also delete any custom search engines you added by clicking the X next to them in the one-click list.

If you want to go back to Google specifically, select it from the dropdown. Firefox will remember your choice the next time you open the browser. Switching back takes the same 30 seconds as the original change.

What happens on your phone or tablet

Firefox on Android and iOS has the same search engine settings, but the menu is slightly different. On mobile, tap the menu button (three dots) at the bottom right, go to Settings, then Search. The dropdown for default search engine is in the same place.

If you sign into your Firefox account on your phone, your search engine choice will sync from your computer, so you do not have to change it twice. The same applies if you use Firefox on a tablet — all your devices will use the same default engine once you sign in.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does changing my default search engine make me more private?

It depends on which engine you choose. DuckDuckGo and Startpage do not build a profile of your searches, while Google and Bing do. However, changing your search engine alone does not hide your searches from your internet provider or your network administrator — they can still see which websites you visit. Privacy requires multiple steps working together.

Can I use a different search engine for different types of searches?

Yes. Set one as your default for the address bar, then add others to your one-click list. When you want to search with a different engine, click its icon in the search bar before you type. You can also use the keyword shortcut — if you set "w" as the keyword for Wikipedia, type "w your topic" in the address bar to search Wikipedia directly.

Will my search engine choice sync if I use Firefox on multiple devices?

Yes, if you sign into the same Firefox account on each device. Your default search engine, one-click engines, and custom keywords will all sync automatically. If you do not use a Firefox account, each device keeps its own settings.

What if a website's search box does not work with the "Add a Keyword" method?

Some websites use JavaScript or other code that Firefox cannot recognize as a search box. For those sites, you can still search them manually, but you cannot add them as a one-click engine. You can bookmark the search page and use it directly, or use a browser extension designed for that specific site.