Google is already Chrome's default search engine in most cases

If you open a new tab in Chrome and type a search query into the address bar, Google processes that search by default. You do not need to change any settings unless you switched to a different search engine and want to go back, or unless your browser was set up by someone else and uses Bing, Yahoo, or another engine instead.

To check which search engine is currently set as your default, open Chrome and look at the address bar. Type a word and press Enter. Whichever search results page appears is your default. If it is Google, you are already set. If it is not, the steps below will walk you through changing it.

Key Takeaways

  • Chrome defaults to Google on most computers, but corporate networks, malware, or browser extensions can change this without your permission.
  • You can change your default search engine in Chrome settings under Search Engine, which takes about one minute.
  • If Google does not appear as an option in the search engine list, you may need to remove a problematic extension or run a malware scan.
  • Some websites and extensions try to hijack your search engine; removing the extension and resetting Chrome settings usually fixes this.

How to change your default search engine in Chrome settings

Open Chrome and click the three-line menu icon in the top right corner. Select Settings from the dropdown menu. On the left side of the page, click Search engine.

You will see a list of search engines Chrome has detected. Google should appear in this list. Click on Google to select it as your default. If Google is not in the list, skip to the section below about missing search engines. Once you select Google, Chrome will use it for all searches you type into the address bar.

What to do if Google is not in your search engine list

If Google does not appear as an option, something has blocked it or removed it from your browser. The most common cause is a browser extension that hijacks your search engine. Open Chrome and click the puzzle-piece icon in the top right corner to see your installed extensions. Look for any extension you do not recognize or did not intentionally install. Click the trash icon next to it to remove it.

After removing suspicious extensions, go back to Settings > Search engine. Google should now appear in the list. If it still does not, your computer may have malware. Run a full scan using Windows Defender (on Windows) or the built-in security tools on your device. Once the scan completes, restart Chrome and check Settings > Search engine again.

Resetting Chrome to remove search engine hijacking

If you have removed extensions and run a malware scan but still cannot find Google in your search engine list, you can reset Chrome to its default settings. This removes all extensions, clears your browsing data, and restores Chrome's original search engine. Click the three-line menu, select Settings, then click Reset settings in the left sidebar under Advanced.

Chrome will ask you to confirm. Click Reset settings again. The browser will restart and return to its factory defaults. After it reopens, go to Settings > Search engine and select Google. This process takes about five minutes and will remove any changes that were forced onto your browser.

Why your search engine may have changed without your action

Search engines can change for several reasons. A browser extension you installed may have included a search engine hijacker as part of its code. Websites you visit sometimes offer to change your search engine, and clicking the wrong button accepts the change. Corporate networks and school computers often lock Chrome to a specific search engine for monitoring purposes. Malware can also modify your search settings, though this is less common on modern computers with built-in security.

If you share your computer with others, someone else may have changed the setting intentionally. Check with other users before assuming your browser was hijacked. If you are the only user and the search engine keeps changing back after you reset it, you likely have malware or a persistent extension that needs removal.

How to prevent unwanted search engine changes

Review your installed extensions regularly. Click the puzzle-piece icon in Chrome's top right corner and look at what is installed. Remove anything you do not use or recognize. Be cautious when installing extensions; only install them from the Chrome Web Store, and read the reviews and permissions before clicking Add to Chrome.

When you visit a website that offers to change your search engine, read the dialog carefully before clicking. The button that accepts the change is often highlighted, while the button to decline is smaller or less obvious. If you accidentally accept a change, you can always go back to Settings > Search engine and switch back to Google within seconds.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I set Google as my default search engine on my phone?

Yes. On Android, open Chrome, tap the three-dot menu, select Settings, then Search engine, and choose Google. On iPhone, open Chrome, tap the three-dot menu, select Settings, then Search engine, and tap Google. The process is the same as on a computer.

Why does my search engine keep changing back to Bing?

A browser extension or malware is likely resetting it. Remove all extensions you do not recognize, run a malware scan, and reset Chrome to factory settings. If it changes again when ready after you set it to Google, you have persistent malware that needs professional removal or a full system scan.

Will changing my default search engine affect my search history?

No. Your search history stays in Chrome regardless of which search engine you use. Changing the default search engine only changes where new searches are sent. Your past searches remain in your Chrome account under History.

Is Google safe to use as my default search engine?

Google is a major search engine owned by a public company. Like all search engines, it stores your searches. If you want to limit what Google stores, you can turn off Web & App Activity in your Google Account settings, which prevents Google from keeping a searchable record of your queries.