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 instead of going to a search website first. Most browsers ship with a different default — Microsoft Edge uses Bing, Safari uses Google but can be changed, and Firefox uses a rotating set depending on your region. Changing it to Google takes less than a minute and works the same way across all browsers.
The steps differ slightly between Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge, but the principle is identical: you open settings, find the search engine section, and pick Google from a list. You do not need to sign into a Google account or read anything extra. Once you change it, every search you type into the address bar goes through Google instead.
Key Takeaways
- Your default search engine is the one that runs when you type directly into the address bar, separate from which search site you visit manually.
- Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge all let you change the default in settings within one minute, with no account required.
- Changing your default search engine does not affect your search history storage — that depends on your browser and account settings separately.
- If you use multiple browsers, you need to change the default in each one individually; changing it in Chrome does not change it in Firefox.
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 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 in the list, type google.com into your address bar, perform any search, and Google will be added automatically. Then return to Settings and select it as default.
Change your default search engine in Firefox
Open Firefox and click the three horizontal lines in the top right corner. Select Settings. On the left, click Search.
Under "Default Search Engine," you will see a dropdown menu showing your current default. Click the dropdown and select Google. The change takes effect when ready. If you do not see Google in the list, scroll down to "One-Click Search Engines" and click the Google icon to add it, then return to the dropdown and select it.
Change your default search engine in Safari
Open Safari and click Safari in the top menu bar. Select Settings (or Preferences on older versions). Click the Search tab.
Under "Search engine," click the dropdown menu and select Google. Close the settings window. The change is when ready. Safari comes with Google as an option by default, so you will not need to add it manually.
Change your default search engine in Microsoft Edge
Open Edge and click the three dots in the top right corner. Select Settings. On the left, click Privacy, search, and services.
Scroll down to the "Search engine" section. Under "Search engine used in the address bar," click the dropdown showing your current default and select Google. The change applies when ready. Google is built into Edge, so it will appear in the dropdown without extra steps.
What happens when you change your default search engine
Once you set Google as default, typing a question into your address bar sends that search to Google instead of your previous default. Your browser still stores that search locally in your browser history — changing the default search engine does not clear or change how your history is stored. If you have a Google account signed into your browser, Google also stores that search in your account's search history on Google's servers, the same way it would if you visited google.com manually.
Changing your default does not affect what data your browser collects or what data Google collects. Those settings remain separate. If you want to limit what Google stores about your searches, you would adjust your Google account settings or your browser's privacy settings independently of which search engine is default.
Why your default might change back
Browser updates sometimes reset your default search engine, particularly if you installed a browser extension or software that changed it without your permission. If you notice your default has switched back to Bing or something else, follow the same steps above to reset it to Google. Check your installed extensions — if you see one you do not recognize, uninstall it, as some extensions change your default as a side effect.
Some websites also try to change your default when you visit them. Your browser will usually ask for permission before allowing this. If a site asks to change your search engine, you can decline, and your current default will stay in place.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does changing my default search engine affect my search history?
No. Your browser history is stored separately from which search engine is default. Changing the default does not delete old searches or change how new ones are stored. If you want to clear your search history, you do that in your browser's history settings, which is a separate action.
Will changing my default search engine in Chrome change it in Firefox too?
No. Each browser keeps its own default search engine setting. If you use multiple browsers, you need to change the default in each one separately. Changing it in Chrome does not affect Firefox, Safari, or Edge.
What if Google does not appear in my search engine list?
Perform a search on google.com from your browser's address bar, and Google will be added to your search engine list automatically. Then go back to settings and select it as your default. This works in all browsers.
Can I have different default search engines for different browsers?
Yes. Each browser has its own default setting, so you can set Chrome to Google, Firefox to DuckDuckGo, and Safari to Google without any conflict. Your choice in one browser does not affect the others.