Setting Google as your default search engine
Your default search engine is the one that runs when you type a question into the address bar without visiting a website first. Most browsers come set to Bing or their own search tool. Changing it to Google takes two to five minutes and works the same way across Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and Safari — you go into settings, find the search section, and pick Google from a list.
The steps differ slightly by browser because each one stores this setting in a different place. But the principle is identical: you are not installing anything or changing how the internet works. You are just telling your browser which search engine to use when you search from the address bar.
Key Takeaways
- Your default search engine runs whenever you type a question into the address bar, separate from which search engine you visit by clicking a link.
- Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and Safari all let you change this setting in their preferences or settings menu without restarting the browser.
- Google must already be available as an option in your browser's search engine list — you cannot add a custom search engine this way on most browsers.
- Changing your default search engine does not affect search results you get by visiting Google.com directly.
- Some workplaces or schools lock this setting through device management, and you may not be able to change it on a shared computer.
How to change the default 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. Google should be in that list. Click on Google, and it becomes your default when ready. If Google is not listed, type google.com into your address bar, perform a search there, and return to this menu — Chrome will add it automatically after you search once.
Close the settings tab. The next time you type a question into the address bar, Google will run the search.
How to change the default 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 default. Click it and select Google. The change takes effect when ready. Firefox also shows you a list of search engines you can use in the address bar by typing a symbol first — Google will be marked with a magnifying glass icon.
Close the settings tab and test it by typing a question into the address bar.
How to change the default search engine in Edge
Open Microsoft Edge and click the three dots in the top right. Select Settings. On the left side, click Privacy, search, and services.
Scroll down to the "Search engine" section. You will see your current default listed. Click the dropdown next to it and select Google. Edge will ask you to confirm — click Set as default. The change is when ready.
If Google does not appear in the dropdown, visit google.com, perform a search, and return to this menu. Edge will have added it to the list.
How to change the default search engine in Safari
Open Safari and click Safari in the top menu bar (on Mac) or use the menu icon (on iPhone or iPad). Select Preferences or Settings.
Click the Search tab. You will see a dropdown labeled "Search engine." Click it and select Google. Close the preferences window. Safari will use Google the next time you search from the address bar.
On iPhone and iPad, the process is the same: go to Settings, scroll down to Safari, tap Search Engine, and select Google.
What to do if Google is not in the list
Most browsers add Google to their search engine list automatically the first time you search on google.com. If it is missing, visit google.com directly, type any question into the search box, and press Enter. Return to your browser's search settings — Google should now appear as an option.
Some workplaces and schools use device management software that locks the default search engine and prevents you from changing it. If you see a message saying the setting is managed or controlled, or if the dropdown is grayed out, contact your IT department or school tech support. They control which search engines are available on that device.
Checking that your change worked
Click into your browser's address bar and type a question — for example, "weather today" or "how tall is the Eiffel Tower." Do not click on any suggestions. Press Enter. If Google appears and runs the search, your default is set correctly.
If a different search engine appears, return to your browser's settings and repeat the steps above. Make sure you clicked on Google itself, not just looked at it. Some browsers require you to click a confirmation button after selecting Google.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will changing my default search engine affect Google.com searches I do by clicking a link?
No. Your default search engine only controls what happens when you type into the address bar. If you visit google.com directly or click a Google link, you will still get Google results regardless of what your default is set to.
Can I use different search engines for different types of searches?
Most browsers let you set up multiple search engines and choose which one to use by typing a symbol before your search. For example, in Firefox you can type "g weather today" to search Google or "w weather today" to search Wikipedia. Check your browser's search settings to see which symbols are available.
What if I want to change my default search engine back later?
Follow the same steps for your browser and select a different search engine from the list. The change takes effect when ready. You can switch back and forth as many times as you want.
Does changing my default search engine slow down my browser?
No. Your default search engine does not affect how fast your browser runs. It only changes which search engine processes your queries from the address bar.
Will my default search engine change if I update my browser?
No. Browser updates do not reset your search settings. Your choice will stay in place unless you manually change it or your device is managed by an organization that pushes settings to it.