What Dogpile is and why you might add it

Dogpile is a search engine that combines results from multiple sources — Google, Bing, Yahoo, and others — on a single results page. Instead of searching one engine at a time, Dogpile pulls from several at once, so you see a wider range of results without running separate searches. Some people prefer this because it reduces reliance on any single search company's algorithm, or because they like seeing how different engines rank the same pages.

Adding Dogpile to your browser means setting it as one of your search options. When you click the search bar at the top of your browser, you can then choose Dogpile from a dropdown menu instead of always using your default engine. This takes a few minutes to set up and works the same way in Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and Safari.

Key Takeaways

  • Dogpile combines search results from Google, Bing, Yahoo, and other engines on one page, so you see a broader range of results without multiple searches.
  • Adding Dogpile to your browser means setting it as a search option in your browser's settings, not installing a separate program or extension.
  • The process differs slightly between Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and Safari, but each takes under five minutes.
  • Once added, you can switch between Dogpile and your default search engine by clicking the search icon in your address bar.

How to add Dogpile in Chrome

Open Chrome and click the three-line menu icon in the top right corner. Select Settings, then click Search engine in the left sidebar. You will see a list of search engines Chrome already knows about. Look for Dogpile in that list — if it is there, click the three dots next to it and select Make default if you want it as your main search engine, or leave it as a secondary option.

If Dogpile does not appear in the list, scroll down to the Other search engines section and click Add. A small form will appear asking for three things: the search engine name (type "Dogpile"), a shortcut (you can type "d" or "dogpile"), and the search URL. For Dogpile, paste this URL into the third field: https://www.dogpile.com/search?q=%s. The %s tells Chrome where to insert your search term. Click Add and you are done.

How to add Dogpile in Firefox

Open Firefox and click the three-line menu in the top right. Select Settings, then click Search in the left sidebar. Under the Search Engines section, you will see a list of engines Firefox already offers. Scroll down to see if Dogpile is listed — if it is, click it to make it your default, or leave it as an option.

If Dogpile is not in the list, visit dogpile.com directly. In the search box on the Dogpile homepage, right-click and select Add a Keyword for this Search (the exact wording depends on your Firefox version). Firefox will then add Dogpile to your search engines automatically. You can now use it by typing in the address bar.

How to add Dogpile in Edge

Open Edge and click the three-dot menu in the top right corner. Select Settings, then click Privacy, search, and services in the left sidebar. Scroll down to the Search engine section. You will see your current default and a list of other engines. If Dogpile appears, click it to set it as default or use it as a secondary option.

If Dogpile is not listed, click Manage search engines under the list. Click Add and fill in the form: name it "Dogpile", set a shortcut like "d", and paste the search URL https://www.dogpile.com/search?q=%s. Click Add to save it. Dogpile will now appear in your search engine menu.

How to add Dogpile in Safari

Open Safari and click Safari in the top menu bar, then select Settings (or Preferences on older Macs). Click the Search tab. You will see a dropdown menu showing your current search engine — Google, Bing, Yahoo, or DuckDuckGo are usually the options. Unfortunately, Safari does not allow you to add custom search engines the way Chrome and Firefox do.

If you want to use Dogpile in Safari, the workaround is to visit dogpile.com directly and bookmark it, or to use a browser extension from the App Store that adds custom search engines. Some people straightforward open Dogpile in a tab when they want to search with it, rather than using the address bar search function.

Using Dogpile once you have added it

After you add Dogpile, using it is straightforward. Click the search icon in your address bar (or click the address bar itself if your browser shows a search box there). A dropdown menu will appear showing all your search engines. Click Dogpile, type your search term, and press Enter. Your results will load from Dogpile instead of your default engine.

If you set Dogpile as your default search engine, it will be the one that loads automatically whenever you use the address bar to search. You can always switch back to another engine by clicking the search icon and selecting a different option from the menu.

When Dogpile might not work as expected

Dogpile results sometimes load slowly because the engine is pulling from multiple sources at once. If a search takes longer than usual, that is normal — it is gathering results from Google, Bing, and Yahoo simultaneously. If Dogpile stops working entirely, the site itself may be temporarily down, or your browser may have cached old settings. Try clearing your browser cache or restarting your browser.

Some websites block Dogpile or other meta-search engines from accessing their content. If you notice that certain sites do not appear in Dogpile results but show up in Google or Bing, that is why. Switching to a different search engine for those particular searches is usually the simplest solution.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Dogpile safe to use?

Yes. Dogpile is a legitimate search engine owned by System1. It does not install malware or steal data. Like any search engine, it collects some information about your searches, so if privacy is a concern, you can review its privacy policy on the Dogpile website.

Can I remove Dogpile from my browser after I add it?

Yes. In Chrome, Firefox, or Edge, go back to Settings, find Dogpile in your search engines list, click the three dots next to it, and select Remove. In Safari, you cannot add custom engines, so there is nothing to remove.

Will adding Dogpile slow down my browser?

No. Adding a search engine to your browser settings does not affect your browser's speed. Dogpile searches themselves may take a few seconds longer than Google because the engine is gathering results from multiple sources, but that is a search-time issue, not a browser issue.

What is the difference between adding Dogpile and installing a Dogpile extension?

Adding Dogpile through your browser settings is the standard method and requires no extra software. Extensions are optional add-ons that some people install for extra features, but they are not necessary to use Dogpile as a search option. The built-in method works fine for most users.