Google is Chrome's built-in default, but you can change it if you want something else
Chrome comes set to Google as your search engine from the moment you install it. When you type in the address bar (called the omnibox), Chrome searches Google by default. You do not have to do anything to keep this setup — it works as-is. But if you want to switch to a different search engine like DuckDuckGo, Bing, or Yahoo, or if you want to confirm that Google is still your default, the steps are straightforward and take less than a minute.
The process is the same whether you use Chrome on Windows, Mac, or Linux. You change your default search engine in Chrome's Settings menu, and the change takes effect when ready across all your devices if you are signed into a Google account.
Key Takeaways
- Chrome defaults to Google, but you can change your search engine in Settings under Search Engine in under one minute.
- Your choice of search engine affects what data is collected when you search — Google, DuckDuckGo, and Bing have different privacy practices.
- If you sign into Chrome with a Google account, your search engine choice syncs across all your devices automatically.
- Changing your default search engine does not affect your browsing history, bookmarks, or passwords — only where searches go when you use the address bar.
How to change your search engine in Chrome Settings
Open Chrome and click the three vertical dots in the top right corner. Select Settings from the dropdown menu. On the left side, click Search engine. You will see a section labeled "Search engine used in the address bar" with a dropdown menu showing your current default.
Click the dropdown to see all available search engines. Chrome lists the ones you have used before, plus Google, Bing, Yahoo, and DuckDuckGo as standard options. Select whichever one you want. The change happens when ready — you do not need to restart Chrome or click a save button.
If the search engine you want is not in the list, you can add a custom one. Scroll down to "Other search engines" and click the Add button. You will need the search engine's name, a short keyword (like "d" for DuckDuckGo), and its search URL. Most search engines display this information in their settings or help pages.
What happens when you change your default search engine
When you type a question or phrase into Chrome's address bar and press Enter, your search goes to whichever engine you set as default. The search results appear in a new tab. This is different from your browsing history — Chrome still records which websites you visit, but your searches now go through your chosen engine instead of Google.
Your bookmarks, passwords, and browsing history do not change. Only the destination of your address bar searches changes. If you use Google Search directly by visiting google.com, that still works the same way regardless of your default setting.
How your choice of search engine affects data collection
Different search engines collect and store different amounts of information about your searches. Google stores your search history tied to your Google account if you are signed in, and uses that data to personalize results and ads. DuckDuckGo does not store your search history at all and does not build a profile of your searches. Bing stores search history but with less detail than Google. Yahoo uses Bing's search results but has its own privacy policy.
Changing your default search engine is one way to reduce what data reaches Google's servers, but it only affects searches you do through the address bar. If you visit google.com directly, you are still using Google. If you want to reduce data collection more broadly, you might also consider disabling search suggestions in Chrome Settings under Privacy and Security, or using a privacy-focused browser extension.
Syncing your search engine choice across devices
If you sign into Chrome with a Google account, your default search engine choice syncs to all devices where you use that account. Change it on your laptop, and it changes on your phone and tablet automatically. If you do not sign into Chrome, your settings stay only on that device.
You can turn off sync for search engine settings if you want different defaults on different devices. Go to Settings, click You and Google on the left, then Sync and Google services. Toggle off Sync everything and then toggle off Search engine specifically. Now your search engine choice will not sync, and you can set different defaults on each device.
Resetting to Google if you change your mind
If you switch to a different search engine and later want to go back to Google, follow the same steps: Settings > Search engine > click the dropdown > select Google. There is no penalty for changing back and forth. Chrome does not require you to stick with any particular choice.
If you are not sure which search engine is currently set as your default, you can check the same way: Settings > Search engine. The dropdown shows your current choice at the top.
Why Chrome offers multiple search engines as options
Chrome offers these choices because of agreements with search engine companies and because different users have different privacy and functionality needs. Google pays to be the default, but Chrome's developers built in the ability to switch because they know some users prefer other options. The search engines Chrome lists are the ones that have formal agreements to appear in the dropdown — you can still use any search engine by visiting its website directly or adding a custom one.
Your choice here is genuinely yours to make. Chrome does not push you back toward Google after you change it, and switching does not affect any other part of how Chrome works.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will changing my search engine affect my Google account or Gmail?
No. Your Google account, Gmail, and Google Drive work the same way regardless of which search engine you set as default in Chrome. Changing your default search engine only affects where searches go when you use the address bar.
Can I use different search engines on different devices?
Yes, if you turn off sync for search engine settings. Go to Settings > You and Google > Sync and Google services, toggle off Sync everything, then toggle off Search engine. Now each device can have its own default.
What if I want to search with a different engine just one time?
You can visit that search engine's website directly — google.com, duckduckgo.com, bing.com — and search there without changing your default. Your default only affects the address bar.
Does changing my search engine hide my searches from Google?
It stops your searches from going to Google through the address bar, but Google can still see your activity if you are signed into a Google account and visit Google services. To reduce what Google sees, you can also sign out of your Google account or use Chrome's Incognito mode.
Can I add a search engine that is not in Chrome's list?
Yes. Go to Settings > Search engine > Other search engines > Add. You will need the search engine's name, a keyword, and its search URL. Most search engines publish this information in their settings or help documentation.