Google is already the default search engine in Chrome for most users
When you open a new tab in Chrome and click the search box, Google appears by default. If you see a different search engine — Bing, Yahoo, or something else — it means your settings were changed, either by you, by an extension you installed, or by malware. Resetting it back to Google takes about two minutes and requires only the Chrome settings menu.
The steps differ slightly depending on whether you're on Windows, Mac, or a phone, but the principle is the same: you're telling Chrome which search engine to use when you type in the address bar or click a blank search box.
Key Takeaways
- Google is Chrome's default search engine unless something changed your settings or an extension altered them without your knowledge.
- On a computer, you change the default search engine through Chrome Settings > Search engine, not through Google itself.
- If Google doesn't appear as an option in the dropdown list, you may need to use a search engine at least once before it becomes available to select.
- Browser extensions can override your default search engine, so check your extensions if changing the setting doesn't stick.
- On Android and iPhone, the process is similar but the menu location is slightly different.
How to change the default search engine on Windows or Mac
Open Chrome and click the three vertical dots in the top right corner. Select Settings from the menu that appears. On the left sidebar, click Search engine.
You'll see a dropdown menu labeled "Search engine used in the address bar." Click it and select Google from the list. If Google isn't showing in the dropdown, it means you haven't used it as a search engine in Chrome yet. To add it: go to google.com in a new tab, click the search box, and search for something. Then return to Settings and try the dropdown again — Google should now appear as an option.
Once you've selected Google, close the Settings tab. The next time you open a new tab and click the search box, Google will appear.
What to do if the setting keeps changing back
If you set Google as the default but it keeps reverting to another search engine, a browser extension is likely overriding your choice. Click the three dots in the top right, then select More tools > Extensions. Look through the list for any extension you don't recognize or remember installing, or any that mention search or browsing.
Click the trash icon next to any suspicious extension to remove it. Then return to Settings > Search engine and set Google as default again. If the problem stops, you've found the culprit. If you're not sure which extension is responsible, you can disable all of them temporarily by toggling off the switch next to each one, then re-enable them one at a time until the problem returns.
Malware can also change your default search engine. If you've removed extensions and the setting still won't stick, run a malware scan using Windows Defender (on Windows) or your antivirus software, then restart your computer.
How to set Google as default on Android
Open the Chrome app and tap the three dots in the bottom right corner. Select Settings, then tap Search engine. Tap Google from the list of options. Close the menu — the change takes effect when ready.
If Google doesn't appear in the list, open a new tab, tap the search box, and perform a search using google.com. Then return to Settings > Search engine and Google should now be available to select.
How to set Google as default on iPhone
Open the Chrome app and tap the three dots in the bottom right corner. Scroll down and tap Settings. Tap Search Engine and select Google from the options. The change is when ready.
On iPhone, Chrome must use the search engine you've set as default in your phone's system settings as well. If you want to be thorough, go to your iPhone's Settings app, scroll down to Chrome, and make sure Default Search Engine is also set to Google. This ensures consistency across your device.
Why your search engine might have changed without you doing it
Browser extensions are the most common reason. Some extensions you install for other purposes — ad blockers, password managers, coupon finders — include code that changes your search engine as a side effect or as part of their business model. The extension may have been updated and the new version includes this behavior.
Malware is less common but possible. If you've visited a suspicious website or downloaded a file from an untrusted source, malware can modify your browser settings. It typically changes the default search engine to one that generates revenue through clicks, then makes it difficult for you to change it back by repeatedly resetting the setting or blocking access to Chrome Settings.
Occasionally, a Chrome update or a change to your Google account settings can reset the default search engine, though this is rare. If you've made no changes and Google is no longer the default, an extension or malware is the most likely cause.
Testing that Google is actually your default
Open a new tab in Chrome. Click in the search box at the top of the page. You should see the Google logo and the Google search interface. Type a search term and press Enter — if Google results appear, you're set.
If a different search engine appears instead, return to Settings > Search engine and verify that Google is selected. If it shows as selected but a different engine still appears, you have an extension or malware issue. Follow the extension removal steps above, or run a malware scan if removing extensions doesn't solve it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I set different default search engines for different situations?
Chrome doesn't support multiple defaults based on context. You can only set one default search engine for the address bar. However, you can manually visit different search engines by typing their URLs directly — typing amazon.com takes you to Amazon's search, for example — or you can use extensions that let you choose a search engine from a menu each time.
Does changing my default search engine in Chrome affect Google's ability to track my searches?
No. Whether Google is your default search engine or not, Google can still track your searches if you're signed into a Google account. Changing the default search engine affects which company processes your search query, but doesn't change what information you're sharing with Google if you use Google services. See the previous article in this series for information about managing your search history.
What if Google isn't showing up as an option in the dropdown menu?
Chrome only shows search engines you've actually used. Visit google.com, click the search box, and search for something. Return to Settings > Search engine and Google should now appear in the dropdown. If it still doesn't, try restarting Chrome or your device.
Will setting Google as default affect my privacy settings?
No. Your default search engine choice is separate from your privacy settings. You can use Google as your default search engine and still delete your search history, use Incognito mode, or adjust your Google account privacy settings independently.