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

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. Setting Google back as your default takes about one minute and requires only the Chrome menu.

The steps differ slightly depending on whether you use Chrome on Windows, Mac, or a phone, but the principle is the same: you tell Chrome which search engine to use when you type in the address bar or a new tab.

Key Takeaways

  • Chrome's default search engine is changed through Settings, not through the search box itself.
  • On desktop, go to Settings > Search engine and select Google from the dropdown menu.
  • On Android and iPhone, the process is similar but located in a different menu path.
  • If Google does not appear in the list, you may need to add it manually by entering Google's search URL.
  • Browser extensions sometimes override your default search engine; disabling them may restore Google.

Setting Google as default on Windows or Mac

Open Chrome and click the three vertical dots in the top right corner. This opens the main menu. Select Settings from the dropdown.

On the left side of the Settings page, click Search engine. You will see a dropdown menu labeled "Search engine used in the address bar." Click that dropdown. Google should appear in the list. Click on Google to select it.

Chrome saves this change automatically. Close the Settings tab and return to your browser. The next time you click the search box on a new tab or type in the address bar, Google will handle your search.

Adding Google manually if it does not appear in the list

If Google is not in the dropdown menu, you can add it yourself. In the same Search engine settings page, look for the section labeled "Search engines" below the dropdown. Click the Add button (or the plus icon, depending on your Chrome version).

A small form will appear asking for three things: the search engine name, the shortcut you want to use, and the search URL. Type "Google" as the name. For the shortcut, type "google" or just "g". For the search URL, enter https://www.google.com/search?q=%s — the %s tells Chrome where to put your search term.

Click Add or Save. Google now appears in your search engine list. Select it from the dropdown to make it your default.

Setting Google as default on Android

Open Chrome on your Android phone. Tap the three vertical dots in the bottom right corner (or top right, depending on your phone's layout). Tap Settings.

Tap Search engine. A list of available search engines appears. Tap Google. A checkmark appears next to it, confirming it is now your default.

Setting Google as default on iPhone

Open Chrome on your iPhone. Tap the three horizontal lines (the menu icon) at the bottom right. Tap Settings.

Tap Search Engine. Tap Google from the list. Chrome now uses Google for all searches you perform in the address bar or search box.

What to do if your default search engine keeps changing

If you set Google as default but it keeps switching back to another search engine, a browser extension is likely the cause. Extensions can override your settings without asking. Open Chrome's menu, click Extensions, and review the list. Look for anything you do not recognize or did not intentionally install. Click the trash icon next to it to remove it.

After removing suspicious extensions, return to Settings > Search engine and set Google as default again. If the problem stops, the extension was the culprit. If it continues, your computer may have malware. Run a full antivirus scan using Windows Defender (on Windows) or the built-in security tools on Mac, then repeat the search engine steps.

Why your search engine might have changed without your action

Search engine changes happen for three main reasons. First, you may have installed an extension that promised to improve your search or browsing but actually changed your settings. Second, you may have clicked through a software installer that bundled a search engine change into the fine print. Third, malware on your computer may have made the change automatically.

The easiest way to prevent this is to uninstall extensions you no longer use, to read the full text of installer screens rather than clicking "Next" repeatedly, and to keep your antivirus software up to date. If you use Chrome's sync feature (which stores your settings across devices), changing your default search engine on one device will change it on all devices where you are signed in.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use different search engines for different purposes?

Not within Chrome itself — you can only set one default. However, you can manually type a different search engine's URL into the address bar whenever you want. For example, typing "duckduckgo.com" takes you to DuckDuckGo even if Google is your default. Some people use Chrome profiles (separate user accounts within Chrome) to keep different defaults for work and personal browsing.

What does the %s mean in the search URL?

The %s is a placeholder that tells Chrome where to insert your search term. When you search for "weather," Chrome replaces %s with "weather" and sends the full URL to the search engine. Without %s in the right place, Chrome will not know how to format your search request.

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 default does not delete or hide any previous searches. If you want to clear your search history, go to Settings > Privacy and security > Clear browsing data and select the time range and data types you want to remove.

Does Google need to be installed separately?

No. Google is built into Chrome and does not require installation. If Google does not appear in your search engine list, it means Chrome's default settings were overwritten, but Google itself is still available. Adding it manually using the search URL will restore it.

What if I want to use Google but a different version, like Google UK or Google in another language?

You can add a custom search engine using Google's regional URL. For example, use https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=%s for Google UK or https://www.google.fr/search?q=%s for Google France. Add it as a custom search engine and set it as default following the steps above.