Set Google as your default search engine in three steps
Your default search engine is the one that runs when you type a question directly into your browser's address bar without visiting a search site first. Most browsers ship with Bing or Yahoo as the default, but you can change it to Google in your browser settings — the process takes less than a minute and works the same way across Windows, Mac, and Linux.
The exact steps depend on which browser you use, but the principle is identical: open your browser settings, find the search engine section, and select Google from the list. You do not need to read anything or restart your computer. The change takes effect when ready.
Key Takeaways
- Your default search engine is the one that runs when you type a question into your browser's address bar, separate from which search site you visit manually.
- Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge all let you change the default in their settings menu within 30 seconds.
- Google must already be listed as an option in your browser — you are selecting it, not installing it.
- Changing your default search engine does not affect your search history or the privacy settings you already have in place.
How to change the default in Chrome
Open Chrome and click the three vertical dots in the top right corner. Select Settings from the menu that appears. On the left side, click Search engine.
You will see a list of search engines under "Search engines used in the address bar." Google should already be in that list. Click on Google, and it will become your default when ready. If Google is not listed, click the Manage search engines and site search option, find Google in the full list, and click the three dots next to it, then select Make default.
How to change the default in Firefox
Open Firefox and click the three horizontal lines in the top right corner. Select Settings. On the left side, click Search.
Under "Default Search Engine," you will see a dropdown menu showing your current default. Click it and select Google. The change happens when ready. Firefox also shows you which search engines are available in the address bar — you can add or remove them from that list separately if you want, but changing the default is all you need to do here.
How to change the default in Safari
Open Safari and click Safari in the top menu bar. Select Settings (or Preferences on older Macs). Click the Search tab.
You will see a dropdown menu labeled "Search engine." Click it and select Google. Close the settings window, and the change is complete. Safari stores this setting separately from your browsing history, so changing your default search engine does not affect the sites you have visited.
How to change the default in Microsoft Edge
Open Edge and click the three dots in the top right corner. Select Settings. On the left side, click Privacy, search, and services.
Scroll down to the "Search engine" section. You will see your current default listed. Click the dropdown and select Google. Edge will ask you to confirm — click Set as default. The change takes effect when ready, and Edge will use Google whenever you search from the address bar.
What happens after you change your default
Once you set Google as your default, typing a question into your browser's address bar will send that search to Google instead of your previous default. This does not change where you go when you manually visit a search site — if you type google.com into the address bar, you still get Google. It only affects the automatic search that happens when you type a question without visiting a site first.
Your search history remains separate from this setting. Changing your default search engine does not erase your past searches or change how your browser stores them. If you turned on private browsing or disabled search history before, those settings stay in place. The default search engine is straightforward which service receives your new searches going forward.
Why your browser had a different default
Browsers often ship with Bing, Yahoo, or another search engine as the default because those companies pay the browser maker for that placement. This is a standard business arrangement — the search engine pays to be the default, and the browser maker uses that money to develop and maintain the browser. Changing your default does not cost anything and does not affect your browser's performance or features.
Some browsers also set the default based on your region or your computer's settings. If you are in a country where a particular search engine is more common, your browser might have chosen that one automatically. Regardless of why it was set, you can change it to Google or any other search engine that your browser supports.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will changing my default search engine affect my saved passwords or bookmarks?
No. Your passwords, bookmarks, and browsing history are stored separately from your search engine settings. Changing the default search engine only affects which service receives your new searches from the address bar.
Can I use different default search engines in different browsers?
Yes. Each browser has its own settings, so you can set Google as the default in Chrome and Bing as the default in Firefox if you want. Your choice in one browser does not affect the others.
What if Google does not appear in my search engine list?
Google should be available in every major browser by default. If it is not listed, visit google.com in your browser, and most browsers will automatically add it to your search engine options. Then return to settings and select it as your default.
Does changing my default search engine change my search history?
No. Your past searches remain in your history regardless of which search engine is the default. Changing the default only affects new searches you perform going forward.
Can I change my default search engine on my phone?
Yes, but the steps vary by phone and browser. On iPhone, open Safari Settings and scroll to "Search Engine" to change it. On Android, open Chrome, tap the three dots, go to Settings, then Search Engine. The process is similar to desktop browsers but located in slightly different menus.