Google becomes your default search engine through your browser settings, not through Google itself
You cannot set Google as your default search engine directly from Google's website. Instead, you change it in the settings of whichever browser you use — Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge. The steps differ slightly by browser, but the principle is the same: you tell your browser which search engine to use when you type a question in the address bar or use the search box.
Your default search engine matters because it determines where your searches go and who sees them. If you arrived here from the article about search history, you already know that search engines store what you look for. Changing your default search engine is one way to shift that data collection to a company whose privacy practices you trust more, or to a search engine that stores less information about you.
Key Takeaways
- You change your default search engine in your browser settings, not on Google's website — the exact menu location depends on whether you use Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge.
- Google is already the default search engine in Chrome, Firefox, and Edge for most users, so you may not need to change anything if you use one of those browsers.
- Changing your default search engine does not stop Google from tracking you elsewhere on the web — it only changes where your typed searches are sent.
- If you use multiple browsers or devices, you will need to set your default search engine separately on each one.
How to set Google as default in Chrome
Google is already the default search engine in Chrome for most users. To check or change it, open Chrome and click the three vertical dots in the top right corner. Select Settings from the menu that appears.
On the left side of the Settings page, click Search engine. You will see a list of search engines under "Search engines used in the address bar." Google should already be listed. If it is, click the three dots next to Google and select Make default. If Google is not in the list, click the three dots next to any search engine and select Manage search engines, then scroll down to find Google, click the three dots next to it, and select Make default.
How to set Google as default 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 "Default Search Engine," you will see a dropdown menu. Click it and select Google from the list. Firefox will when ready save your choice. If Google does not appear in the dropdown, it may already be installed — scroll down to the "One-Click Search Engines" section to confirm Google is there.
How to set Google as default in Safari
Safari works differently because it does not have a separate settings page for search engines the way other browsers do. Open Safari and click Safari in the top menu bar (on a Mac) or Edit (on Windows). Select Preferences or Settings.
Click the Search tab. You will see a dropdown menu labeled "Search engine." Click it and select Google. Close the preferences window. Your choice is saved automatically. Google is the default search engine in Safari on most devices, so you may find it is already selected.
How to set Google as 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 a dropdown menu showing your current default search engine. Click it and select Google. Edge will save the change when ready. If Google is not in the dropdown list, click Manage search engines, find Google in the list, click the three dots next to it, and select Make default.
What changing your default search engine does and does not do
Setting Google as your default search engine means that when you type a question or phrase into your browser's address bar, that search is sent to Google instead of to Bing, DuckDuckGo, or another search engine. It also means that if you use the search box built into your browser's new tab page, your search goes to Google.
Changing your default search engine does not stop Google from collecting data about you in other ways. Google still tracks your activity on websites that use Google Analytics, Google Ads, or other Google services. If you are signed into a Google account while you search, Google links those searches to your account. Changing your default search engine only changes where your typed searches are routed — it does not change Google's broader tracking practices or your account settings.
Why you might want a different default search engine
Some people set a different search engine as their default because they want to reduce the amount of data Google collects about them. DuckDuckGo, for example, does not store your search history or link searches to your identity. Ecosia plants a tree for every search. Startpage routes your searches through Google's servers but strips out identifying information before Google sees them.
If you are concerned about search history storage, changing your default search engine is one step, but it works best alongside other changes: signing out of your Google account before searching, clearing your browser history regularly, or using your browser's private browsing mode. None of these steps is a complete solution on its own, but together they reduce the amount of information tied to your identity.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will changing my default search engine affect my Google account or Gmail?
No. Your default search engine is separate from your Google account. You can use Gmail, Google Drive, and other Google services while using a different search engine as your default. If you are signed into your Google account in your browser, Google will still know it is you when you visit Google services — but searches you perform in other tabs may go to your new default search engine instead.
What if I want to use Google for some searches but a different search engine for others?
You can keep a different search engine as your default and still search with Google whenever you want. Type your search directly into google.com, or add Google as a secondary search engine in your browser settings. Most browsers let you right-click in the address bar and choose which search engine to use for that single search.
Do I need to change my default search engine on my phone?
Yes, if you want your phone searches to use a different engine. On iPhone, open Settings, scroll down to Safari, tap "Search Engine," and select Google or another option. On Android, open Chrome, tap the three dots, go to Settings, then Search Engine, and select Google or another choice. The process is similar in other mobile browsers.
If I set Google as default, will it undo my privacy settings?
No. Your privacy settings in your browser — such as clearing cookies on exit or blocking third-party trackers — remain in place regardless of which search engine is your default. Changing your default search engine is independent of your other privacy choices.