Change your default search engine in Chrome settings

Chrome uses Google as the default search engine, but you can switch to Bing, DuckDuckGo, Yahoo, or another search engine in about 30 seconds. The setting lives in Chrome's search engine menu, separate from your general settings. Once you change it, every search you type into the address bar will use your chosen engine instead.

You do not need to uninstall Chrome or create a new profile. The change applies only to your current user account on that computer, so if someone else uses the same device, their searches stay on Google unless they make the same change themselves.

Key Takeaways

  • Open Chrome settings, go to Search Engine, and pick a new default from the dropdown menu — no restart required.
  • Chrome comes with Bing, DuckDuckGo, and Yahoo already built in; you can also add a custom search engine by visiting its website.
  • Changing your default search engine does not affect which results appear when you click a link or use the search box on a website.
  • If you share a computer, each user account has its own default search engine setting.

Open Chrome settings and find the search engine menu

Click the three vertical dots in the top right corner of Chrome. A menu will drop down. Click Settings near the bottom of that menu.

On the left side of the settings page, click Search engine. You will see a dropdown that says "Google" (or whatever your current default is) next to the words "Search engine used in the address bar".

Select a different search engine from the list

Click the dropdown next to "Search engine used in the address bar". A list will appear showing Google, Bing, DuckDuckGo, and Yahoo. Click whichever one you want to use.

Chrome will switch when ready. You do not need to close settings or restart the browser. The next time you type a search into the address bar, it will use the engine you picked.

Add a search engine that is not on the list

If you want to use a search engine that Chrome does not show in the dropdown — for example, Ecosia or Startpage — you can add it manually. Scroll down on the Search engine settings page until you see the section called "Other search engines".

Visit the search engine's website in a new tab. Type something into its search box and press Enter. Chrome will detect that you searched and offer to add that engine to your list. A small popup will appear asking if you want to use this search engine; click Add.

Go back to the Search engine settings page. The new engine will now appear in the "Other search engines" section. Click the three dots next to it and select Make default.

Understand what this setting does and does not change

Changing your default search engine only affects searches you type into Chrome's address bar (also called the omnibox). It does not change search results on websites themselves. If you go to Google.com and search there, you will still see Google results, even if your default is set to Bing.

It also does not affect which search engine appears when you click a link in an article or email. Those links point directly to a specific search engine and will open that engine regardless of your default setting.

Revert to Google or switch again anytime

You can change your default search engine as many times as you want. Go back to Settings > Search engine and pick a different one from the dropdown. There is no limit to how often you can switch, and Chrome will not warn you or ask for confirmation.

If you ever want to go back to Google, follow the same steps and select Google from the list.

What happens if you use multiple Chrome profiles

If you have set up multiple user profiles in Chrome (for example, one for work and one for personal use), each profile has its own default search engine setting. Changing the default in one profile does not affect the others.

To switch between profiles, click your profile picture in the top right corner of Chrome. Select the profile you want to use. That profile will open with its own default search engine, bookmarks, and history.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing my default search engine affect my search history?

No. Your search history is stored separately from your default search engine setting. Changing the engine does not delete old searches or move them to a different place. If you want to clear your search history, that is a separate action in Chrome settings under Privacy and security.

Can my employer or school see which search engine I use?

If you are using a managed Chrome account (provided by your employer or school), they may be able to see or restrict which search engines you can use. Check with your IT department if you are unsure whether your account is managed. On a personal Chrome account, only you can see this setting.

What if I want different search engines for different types of searches?

Chrome only allows one default search engine at a time. If you need to use multiple engines regularly, you can open a new tab and type the search engine's name directly into the address bar, or bookmark each search engine's homepage for quick access.

Does changing my search engine stop Google from tracking my searches?

Switching to a privacy-focused search engine like DuckDuckGo or Startpage may reduce tracking, but your internet service provider and website owners can still see that you visited their sites. Changing your search engine is one step, but it is not a complete privacy solution on its own.