You can change your search engine in your browser settings in under a minute
Your browser comes with a default search engine — usually Google, Bing, or Yahoo depending on which browser you use. When you type in the address bar without a full web address, your browser sends that search to whichever engine is set as default. You can change this to any search engine you prefer, and the change takes effect when ready.
The steps differ slightly between browsers, but the setting lives in the same place in all of them: your browser's search settings. You do not need to read anything or restart your browser. Once you change it, every search you do from the address bar goes to your new engine instead.
Key Takeaways
- Your default search engine is the one that handles searches typed directly into your browser's address bar, and you can change it without affecting your bookmarks or browsing history.
- Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge all let you change your default search engine through their settings menu, and the change takes effect when ready.
- You can set any search engine as your default — Google, DuckDuckGo, Bing, Ecosia, or others — and you can change it back anytime.
- Changing your search engine does not affect search boxes on websites themselves; those still use whatever search that website runs.
How to change your search engine in Chrome
Open Chrome and click the three vertical dots in the top right corner. Select Settings from the menu that appears. On the left side, click Search engine.
You will see a list of search engines Chrome has detected on websites you visit. The one with a dot next to it is your current default. Click on whichever engine you want to use instead, and it becomes your default when ready. If the engine you want is not in the list, scroll down to Manage search engines and site search, type the engine's name and search URL, and click Add.
How to change your search engine in Firefox
Open Firefox and click the three horizontal lines (called a hamburger menu) in the top right corner. Select Settings. On the left, click Search.
Under Default Search Engine, you will see a dropdown menu showing your current engine. Click it and select a different one from the list — Firefox includes Google, Bing, DuckDuckGo, Ecosia, and others by default. Your new choice takes effect right away. If you want to add a search engine that is not in the list, scroll down to One-Click Search Engines, visit a website that offers search, right-click its search box, and select Add a Keyword for this Search.
How to change your search engine in Safari
Open Safari and click Safari in the top menu bar. Select Settings (or Preferences on older versions). Click the Search tab.
Under Search engine, click the dropdown menu and choose from Google, Yahoo, Bing, or DuckDuckGo. Safari does not let you add custom search engines through settings the way Chrome and Firefox do, but you can still use any search engine by visiting its website directly and bookmarking it.
How to change your search engine in Edge
Open Edge and click the three dots in the top right corner. Select Settings. On the left, click Privacy, search, and services. Scroll down to Search engine.
Click the dropdown under Search engine used in the address bar and select your preferred engine. Edge includes Google, Bing, Yahoo, and DuckDuckGo. If you want to add a different search engine, scroll down to Address bar search engine, click Manage search engines, and add a new one by entering its name and search URL.
Why you might want to change your search engine
Different search engines handle your data differently. Google tracks your searches and uses them to build a profile of your interests for advertising. DuckDuckGo does not store your search history or use it for ads. Bing is owned by Microsoft and integrates with Windows and Office. Ecosia donates a portion of its ad revenue to environmental projects.
Some people change their search engine for privacy reasons. Others do it because they prefer how a different engine ranks results, or because they want to support a company whose values align with theirs. Your choice does not affect how your browser works otherwise — you can still use all your extensions, bookmarks, and saved passwords.
What happens when you change your search engine
When you type something in your address bar and press Enter, your browser sends that search to your new default engine instead of the old one. The results page looks different because each search engine has its own design and ranking system. Your browsing history, bookmarks, and saved passwords stay exactly the same.
If you change your mind, you can switch back to your old search engine anytime using the same steps. You can also use a different search engine for a single search by visiting that engine's website directly and searching there, without changing your default.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does changing my search engine affect my Google account or Gmail?
No. Your Google account, Gmail, and other Google services work the same way regardless of which search engine is set as your browser's default. Changing your search engine only affects what happens when you search from your address bar.
Can I use different search engines on different devices?
Yes. Each device has its own browser settings, so you can set Chrome on your phone to use DuckDuckGo while keeping Google as your default on your laptop. The settings do not sync between devices unless you have chosen to sync your browser settings.
What if my search engine is not in the list?
Chrome, Firefox, and Edge all let you add custom search engines by entering the engine's name and its search URL. Safari has a more limited list and does not support custom additions through settings, but you can bookmark any search engine and use it directly.
Will changing my search engine slow down my browser?
No. Your browser's speed depends on your internet connection and how many extensions you have installed, not on which search engine you use. Switching search engines makes no difference to performance.
Can websites force me to use a specific search engine?
No. Websites can have their own search boxes that use their own search, but they cannot change your browser's default search engine setting. If you notice your default has changed without you doing it, a browser extension or unwanted software may have changed it — check your extensions and consider running a malware scan.