Set Google as your default search engine in your browser
Your browser — whether Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge — has a default search engine built in. When you type a question into the address bar without a full web address, your browser sends that search to whichever engine you've set as default. You can change this to Google in a few clicks, and the steps differ slightly by browser.
The reason to do this: if your default is set to Bing, Yahoo, or another engine, your searches go there first. Changing it to Google means your searches route through Google's servers instead, which affects what data Google collects about your search history — the topic you came from.
Key Takeaways
- Your browser's default search engine is what handles searches you type into the address bar, and you can change it in Settings without installing anything new.
- Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge all store this setting in their own preferences menu, and the change takes effect when ready.
- Setting Google as default does not prevent other search engines from working — you can still visit Bing or any other site directly.
- If your default keeps changing back on its own, a browser extension or unwanted software may be resetting it, and you may need to check your installed extensions.
Change your default search engine 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 Chrome knows about. Google is usually already in the list. Click the radio button next to Google to select it as your default. Chrome saves this change when ready — you do not need to click a Save button. Close the Settings tab and your default is now set.
The next time you type a search into Chrome's address bar, it will use Google instead of whatever was set before.
Change your default search engine in Firefox
Open Firefox and click the three horizontal lines (called a hamburger menu) in the top right corner. Select Settings. On the left side, click Search.
Under the "Default Search Engine" heading, you will see a dropdown menu showing your current default. Click that dropdown and select Google from the list. Firefox saves the change right away. Close the Settings tab and you are done.
Change your default search engine in Safari
Open Safari and click Safari in the menu bar at the very top of your screen (not inside the browser window). Select Settings or Preferences depending on your macOS version. 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 saved. On your next search from the address bar, Safari will use Google.
Change your default search engine in Edge
Open Microsoft 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 with a radio button next to it. Click Manage search engines. Find Google in the list and click the radio button next to it. Edge saves this when ready. Close Settings and your default is now Google.
What to do if your default search engine keeps changing
If you set Google as your default and it keeps switching back to something else, a browser extension or unwanted software is likely resetting it. Open your browser's extension or add-on menu and look for anything you do not recognize or remember installing.
In Chrome, click the three dots, go to More tools, then Extensions. In Firefox, click the hamburger menu and select Add-ons and themes. Remove anything suspicious by clicking the trash or remove icon next to it. After removing extensions, set Google as your default again and see if it stays.
If the problem continues, your computer may have unwanted software installed. Run a full scan with your antivirus program or take your device to someone who can check it for you.
Why your search engine choice matters for your search history
When you search through Google, Google records that search on your Google account — if you are signed in. When you search through a different engine, that engine records it instead. Changing your default to Google means more of your searches flow through Google's servers, which means Google sees more of your search activity.
This connects back to the article you came from: if you want to limit what Google knows about your searches, you might actually want a different default, or you might want to use private browsing mode when you search. Setting your default to Google is the right choice if you trust Google with that data or if you want your searches to sync across your devices through your Google account.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will changing my default search engine delete my old search history?
No. Your search history stays in whichever account it was recorded in. If you searched through Bing before, those searches remain in your Bing history. Changing your default only affects new searches going forward.
Can I use Google even if it is not my default?
Yes. You can always visit google.com directly in your browser, or you can type "google.com" into your address bar. Your default only controls what happens when you search from the address bar without specifying a website.
What if Google is not showing up in my search engine list?
Google should appear in every browser's search engine list by default. If it does not, try typing "google.com" into your address bar and pressing Enter. Most browsers will offer to add Google as a search option after you visit it. You can then set it as your default.
Does changing my default search engine affect my Google account or Gmail?
No. Your default search engine is a browser setting only. It does not change anything about your Google account, Gmail, or any Google services you use.
Can I set different default search engines for different browsers?
Yes. Each browser has its own settings, so you can set Google as default in Chrome and Bing as default in Firefox if you want. The setting in one browser does not affect the others.