Chrome uses Google as its default search engine automatically

When you open a new tab in Chrome and type in the address bar, Chrome searches using Google by default. You do not need to change any settings for this to work — it is already set up this way when you install Chrome. If you have accidentally changed it to a different search engine (like Bing or Yahoo), you can switch it back to Google in about one minute.

This guide covers how to check which search engine Chrome is using right now, and how to change it back to Google if something else is set instead. The process is the same whether you are on Windows, Mac, or Linux.

Key Takeaways

  • Chrome comes with Google as the default search engine, so most people do not need to change anything.
  • You can see which search engine is active by opening a new tab and looking at the search box at the top.
  • To change the search engine, go to Settings, then Search Engine, and pick Google from the list.
  • If Google does not appear in the list, you can add it by typing a search into the address bar and telling Chrome to use Google for future searches.
  • Changing the search engine in Chrome does not affect Firefox, Edge, Safari, or any other browser on your computer.

Check which search engine Chrome is using now

Open Chrome and click the three vertical dots in the top right corner of the window. This opens a menu. Click Settings near the bottom of that menu.

On the left side of the Settings page, click Search engine. You will see a list of search engines with a radio button next to each one. The one with a filled-in circle is the one Chrome is using right now. If Google has a filled circle next to it, you are already set and do not need to do anything else.

The search engine list typically shows Google, Bing, Yahoo, and DuckDuckGo as standard options. Your computer may show additional search engines if they were added by software you installed or by your computer manufacturer.

Switch to Google if another search engine is selected

If you see that Bing, Yahoo, DuckDuckGo, or another search engine has the filled circle, click the circle next to Google. The circle will fill in when ready, and Chrome will now use Google for all searches you type in the address bar.

You can close the Settings tab now. The next time you open a new tab and type a search, Google will handle it. There is no restart needed — the change takes effect right away.

Add Google if it is not showing in the list

In rare cases, Google may not appear in the search engine list at all. To add it back, open a new tab in Chrome. In the search box at the top, type any search term — for example, "weather" or "news". Press Enter.

Google will load and show you results. Now go back to Settings and click Search engine again. Google should now appear in the list. Click the circle next to Google to make it your default.

If Google still does not appear after searching with it once, your Chrome installation may have a deeper issue. Uninstalling and reinstalling Chrome usually fixes this. Before you uninstall, sign into your Google account in Chrome if you have not already — this backs up your bookmarks, passwords, and browsing history automatically, so you will not lose them when you reinstall.

Why Chrome defaults to Google

Google and Chrome are both made by the same company, so Google is the built-in search engine. This is not a hidden setting or a trick — it is straightforward how Chrome comes from the factory. You can change it to any other search engine you prefer, and the change takes effect right away.

Some computers come with Chrome already installed by the manufacturer, and occasionally those versions have a different default search engine set by the computer maker. If that happened to you, the steps above will let you switch back to Google. This is common on some budget laptops and tablets that come with Bing or another search engine pre-selected.

What happens when you change the search engine

When you change the search engine in Chrome, only the address bar behavior changes. This means when you type a question or search term into the address bar at the top of the window, Chrome will send that search to your new default engine instead of Google. Bookmarks, browsing history, and all other Chrome features remain exactly the same.

If you visit Google's website directly at google.com, you can still use it even if it is not your default search engine. The default search engine only controls what happens when you type into the address bar without a website address.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does changing the search engine in Chrome affect other browsers?

No. Each browser keeps its own settings. If you use Firefox, Edge, or Safari on the same computer, they will not be affected by changes you make in Chrome. You would need to change the search engine separately in each browser if you want them all to use the same one.

Will changing the search engine slow down Chrome?

No. The search engine you choose does not affect how fast Chrome runs. Google, Bing, Yahoo, DuckDuckGo, and other major search engines all work at similar speeds.

What if I want to use Google for some searches but a different engine for others?

Chrome does not have a built-in way to do this. You would need to manually type the search into Google's website for searches you want Google to handle, and use the address bar for searches you want the other engine to handle. Some people use browser extensions to manage multiple search engines, though this is not necessary for most users.

Can I undo a search engine change?

Yes. Go back to Settings, click Search engine, and click the circle next to Google (or whichever engine you want). The change takes effect when ready, and there is no waiting period or confirmation needed.

Why does my search engine keep changing back to something else?

Some software or browser extensions can reset your search engine without asking. Check your installed programs and browser extensions for anything you do not recognize. Uninstall suspicious programs and disable extensions you do not use. If the search engine keeps changing after that, run a malware scan using Windows Defender (on Windows) or the built-in security tools on your Mac.