Set your search engine in Firefox's settings

Firefox lets you choose which search engine runs when you type in the address bar. The setting lives in Firefox's preferences, takes about two minutes to change, and applies to every search you do from that bar — whether you type a question, a person's name, or anything else that isn't a web address.

Open Firefox and look at the top right corner for three horizontal lines (called the menu button). Click it, then select Settings. On the left side, click Search. You'll see a section called "Default Search Engine" with a dropdown menu showing your current choice.

Click the dropdown to see what search engines Firefox offers. The list usually includes Google, Bing, DuckDuckGo, Wikipedia, and Amazon. Select whichever one you prefer, and Firefox saves the change when ready — you don't need to click a save button or restart the browser.

Key Takeaways

  • Your default search engine is the one that runs when you type a question or search term in Firefox's address bar at the top of the window.
  • The setting is in Firefox Settings under the Search section, accessible through the menu button in the top right corner.
  • Firefox offers several built-in search engines including Google, Bing, DuckDuckGo, and Wikipedia, and you can switch between them with one click.
  • The change takes effect when ready and applies to all searches you perform from the address bar.
  • You can also set a different search engine just for the search box (if you have one) separate from the address bar, though most people use the address bar for both.

Understanding the address bar versus the search box

Firefox's address bar (at the very top of the window) does double duty: it accepts web addresses and search terms. When you type something that isn't a web address, Firefox sends it to your default search engine. This is different from a dedicated search box, which some browsers display separately.

If you want a search box on your page, you can add one by right-clicking an empty area of your Firefox home page and selecting Edit homepage. But most people just use the address bar for everything, since it's faster — you don't have to click twice.

Why you might want to change your search engine

Different search engines have different strengths. Google is the largest and usually returns the most results. Bing integrates with Microsoft services. DuckDuckGo doesn't track your searches or build a profile of your interests. Wikipedia is useful if you're looking up facts about people, places, or events rather than doing a general web search.

Some people switch search engines because they prefer the privacy practices of one over another. Others switch because they like how a particular engine displays results, or because they use a service (like Bing Rewards) that gives them points for searching. There's no right choice — it's whatever works best for how you search.

Adding a search engine that isn't in the default list

Firefox's dropdown shows the most common search engines, but you can add others. To do this, visit the website of the search engine you want to use. Look for a search box on that site, right-click inside it, and select Add a Keyword for this Search. Firefox will ask you to name it and confirm.

Once you've added a custom search engine this way, it appears in your dropdown list and you can set it as your default. This is useful if you regularly search a specific site (like your company's internal search, or a specialized database) and want quick access to it from the address bar.

Changing the search engine for the home page

Your home page (the page that opens when you start Firefox or click the home button) may have its own search box. If you want to change which search engine that box uses, go back to Firefox Settings, click Search, and look for a section called Search Shortcuts. This controls the search box on your home page separately from your address bar default.

Most people don't need to change this separately — they just set one default search engine and use it everywhere. But if you prefer different engines for different tasks, this option exists.

What happens if you change your mind

Changing your default search engine is completely reversible. Go back to Settings, click Search, and pick a different engine from the dropdown. You can switch back and forth as many times as you want, and Firefox doesn't store any record of which engines you've used.

If you added a custom search engine and want to remove it, right-click the dropdown in the Search settings and select Remove next to the engine's name. This deletes it from your list but doesn't affect your browsing history or any other settings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a search engine that isn't in Firefox's dropdown list?

Yes. Visit the search engine's website, right-click its search box, and select Add a Keyword for this Search. Firefox will add it to your list, and you can then set it as your default. This works for most websites that have a search function.

Does changing my search engine affect my bookmarks or passwords?

No. Your search engine setting is completely separate from everything else in Firefox. Changing it won't touch your bookmarks, saved passwords, browsing history, or any other data.

What if I want different search engines on different devices?

Each device's Firefox has its own settings. If you sign into Firefox with a Mozilla account, some settings sync across devices, but search engine choice does not. You'll need to change it separately on each computer or phone where you use Firefox.

Can I search from the address bar without changing my default search engine?

Yes. You can type a search term into the address bar and then click the search engine icon that appears to the left of your text. This lets you pick a different engine for that one search without changing your default.