How to set Google as your default search engine in Chrome
Google is already the default search engine in Chrome, so you likely do not need to change it. But if another search engine has taken over — or if you want to switch to a different one — the process takes about one minute. Open Chrome, click the three vertical dots in the top right corner, select Settings, then click Search engine in the left menu. Under "Search engine used in the address bar," click the dropdown and pick the one you want. Chrome will use that engine whenever you type a search directly into the address bar at the top of the page.
The address bar is where this matters most. When you type words there instead of clicking into a search box, Chrome sends that query to whichever engine you set as default. If you use the Google search box on Google.com itself, it does not matter what your default is — you are already on Google's site. The default only controls what happens when you search from the address bar.
Key Takeaways
- Chrome's default search engine is already Google, so most users do not need to change anything.
- To change it, go to Settings > Search engine and pick a different option from the dropdown menu.
- The default search engine only affects searches you type into the address bar, not searches on Google.com itself.
- If you want different search engines for different tasks, you can use multiple browser profiles instead of changing the default.
- Changing your default search engine does not affect your search history — that is stored separately based on which account you are signed into.
Where to find the search engine settings in Chrome
Click the three vertical dots (called the menu button) in the top right corner of any Chrome window. A dropdown menu appears. Click Settings near the bottom of that menu. On the left side of the Settings page, you will see a menu with options like "Autofill," "Privacy and security," and "Advanced." Click Search engine in that left menu.
You will now see a section called "Search engine used in the address bar." Below that is a dropdown menu showing your current default. Click that dropdown to see all the search engines Chrome has stored. The list usually includes Google, Bing, Yahoo, DuckDuckGo, and sometimes others depending on what you have used before. Click whichever one you want to use going forward.
What search engines are available to choose from
Chrome offers several built-in options. Google is the most common and is pre-selected. Bing is Microsoft's search engine and is the default in Microsoft Edge. Yahoo uses Bing's results but adds its own interface. DuckDuckGo is a privacy-focused engine that does not track your searches the way Google does. Ecosia is a search engine that donates its profits to environmental causes.
If you want to use a search engine that does not appear in the dropdown, you can add it manually. Some search engines — particularly smaller or regional ones — require you to visit their website first so Chrome can detect them. Once you search on that site, it may appear in your dropdown list. If it does not, you can still use it by visiting the site directly and searching there, even if it is not your default.
How your choice affects your search history
Changing your default search engine does not erase or change your existing search history. Your past searches remain in your Chrome history and in your Google Account (if you are signed in), regardless of which engine is now set as default. If you want to clear your search history, that is a separate step: go to Settings > Privacy and security > Clear browsing data, then check "Cookies and other site data" and "Cached images and files," and click Clear data.
Your search history is tied to the Google Account you are signed into Chrome with, not to the search engine you use. If you sign out of your Google Account, Chrome will not store your searches in your account history — though your browser history (the pages you visit) will still be stored locally on your computer. If you are concerned about your searches being stored at all, switching to DuckDuckGo or Ecosia will prevent those engines from storing them, but Google will still see searches you make on Google.com itself.
Using different search engines for different purposes
If you want to use one search engine for work and another for personal searches, you do not have to keep changing your default. Instead, you can create multiple Chrome profiles. Each profile has its own settings, bookmarks, history, and default search engine. Click your profile picture in the top right corner of Chrome, then click "Add another profile." Give it a name, choose an icon, and click Create. You can now switch between profiles by clicking your picture again and selecting the profile you want.
This approach is cleaner than changing your default back and forth. You can set one profile to use Google and another to use DuckDuckGo, and each will remember your choice. Your search history will also be separate for each profile, so work searches stay in your work profile and personal searches stay in your personal one.
Why a search engine might change without you changing it
Sometimes a different search engine becomes your default even though you did not change it. This usually happens when you install a browser extension or read software that modifies your Chrome settings. Some extensions are designed to change your search engine as part of their function. Others do it without your knowledge as a way to earn money from search traffic.
If you notice your search engine has changed, check your installed extensions. Click the puzzle piece icon in the top right of Chrome (or the three dots, then "More tools," then "Extensions"). Look through the list for anything unfamiliar or anything you do not remember installing. You can remove an extension by clicking the trash icon next to it. After removing it, go back to Settings > Search engine and reset your default to what you want.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will changing my search engine affect my bookmarks or passwords?
No. Your bookmarks, passwords, autofill data, and all other Chrome settings remain unchanged. Only searches you type into the address bar will go to the new search engine.
Can I use a different search engine just for one search without changing my default?
Yes. You can visit any 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.
If I change my default search engine, will Google stop tracking my searches?
Only if you stop using Google.com and Google's address bar search. If you are signed into a Google Account in Chrome, Google can still see searches you make on Google.com itself. Switching your default search engine only affects the address bar.
What happens to my search history if I switch search engines?
Your existing search history stays where it is. Google will keep your past searches in your Google Account history. The new search engine will start recording new searches you make through it, but will not see your old ones.