Firefox lets you change your default search engine in Settings, and you can do it in under a minute

When you type in the address bar without a web address, Firefox sends your search to a default engine — usually Google. You can change this to Bing, DuckDuckGo, Ecosia, or several others. The change takes effect when ready and applies to all searches from the address bar, but not to searches you run directly on a search engine's website.

This matters because different search engines handle your data differently. Google tracks your searches to build a profile for ads. DuckDuckGo does not store search history tied to you. Bing integrates with Microsoft services. Ecosia donates search revenue to tree-planting projects. Choosing a different default is one of the few privacy decisions you control directly in your browser.

Key Takeaways

  • Open Firefox Settings, select Search, and pick a new engine from the "Default Search Engine" dropdown — no restart needed.
  • Firefox comes with Google, Bing, DuckDuckGo, Ecosia, and StartPage built in; you can add others by searching from the address bar.
  • Changing your default search engine does not affect searches you run on a search website directly, only searches from the Firefox address bar.
  • You can set different search engines for the address bar and the search box if they appear separately on your toolbar.

How to open Firefox Settings and find the Search section

Click the menu button (three horizontal lines) in the top right corner of Firefox. Select Settings from the dropdown. On the left side, click Search. You are now in the section where Firefox manages search behavior.

The page shows your current default search engine at the top under "Default Search Engine". Below that are other search engines Firefox offers, and further down is a section for managing search shortcuts.

Choosing a new default search engine from the built-in list

Click the dropdown next to "Default Search Engine". Firefox shows you Google, Bing, DuckDuckGo, Ecosia, and StartPage. Select the one you want. The change happens when ready — you do not need to close Settings or restart Firefox.

If you want to know what each engine does with your data before you choose: Google stores your search history and uses it for ads. Bing integrates with your Microsoft account if you use one. DuckDuckGo does not store searches tied to your identity. Ecosia is a for-profit company that donates 80 percent of its search revenue to environmental projects. StartPage is a privacy-focused engine that returns Google results without Google tracking you.

Adding a search engine that is not on the built-in list

If you want to use a search engine Firefox does not include by default, you can add it by searching from the address bar. Type a search term in the address bar and press Enter. Firefox uses your current default engine. Below the results, you may see an option to "Add [Engine Name]" — click it to add that engine to your list.

Not every search engine offers this option. If you do not see an "Add" button, the engine may not support Firefox's search plugin system. In that case, you can still use it by visiting the website directly, but you cannot set it as your default.

Setting different search engines for the address bar and the search box

If your Firefox toolbar shows both an address bar and a separate search box, you can set them to use different engines. In the Search settings, scroll down to "Search Shortcuts". The search box (if it appears) has its own dropdown under "Search Bar". You can set this to a different engine than your address bar default.

Most Firefox users do not see a separate search box — the address bar handles both functions. If you want to add a search box to your toolbar, right-click the toolbar and select "Customize Toolbar", then drag the search icon into place.

What happens when you change your default search engine

When you type something in the address bar that is not a web address, Firefox sends it to your new default engine. If you type "weather" or "recipe for bread", it searches using the engine you chose. If you type a full web address like "housing.com", Firefox goes directly to that site without searching.

Changing your default does not affect searches you run by visiting a search engine's website directly. If you go to google.com and search there, Google still handles that search even if your Firefox default is DuckDuckGo. It also does not change search behavior in other browsers — each browser has its own default.

Removing a search engine from your list

In the Search settings, scroll to "Search Shortcuts" and find the engine you want to remove. Hover over it and click the trash icon that appears. The engine disappears from your list. You can always add it back later by searching with it again.

You cannot remove all search engines — Firefox requires at least one default. If you try to remove your current default, Firefox will ask you to pick a new one first.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does changing my search engine make me more private?

It depends on which engine you choose. Google, Bing, and Yahoo all track your searches for ads or analytics. DuckDuckGo and StartPage do not store searches tied to your identity. Switching to one of those engines reduces the data tied to you, but it does not hide your searches from your internet provider or your network administrator.

Can I use a different search engine on my phone?

Yes. Firefox for Android and Firefox for iOS both have Settings menus where you can change your default search engine the same way. The built-in options may differ slightly between phone and desktop, but the process is identical.

What if I want to search with a different engine just once?

Type your search in the address bar, then before you press Enter, click the search engine icon that appears on the left side of the address bar. A dropdown shows all your available engines. Click the one you want to use for that single search.

Will changing my default search engine affect my bookmarks or browsing history?

No. Your bookmarks, history, and saved passwords stay exactly the same. Only new searches from the address bar use your new default engine.