Chrome uses Google as the default search engine, but you can change it to Bing, DuckDuckGo, Yahoo, or another search engine in about one minute

When you type a search directly into Chrome's address bar (called the omnibox), Chrome sends that search to your default search engine. By default, that engine is Google. If you prefer a different search engine — whether for privacy, different results, or personal preference — you can change this setting without installing anything or restarting your browser.

The process is the same whether you use Chrome on Windows, Mac, or Linux. Chrome also remembers your choice across all your devices if you sign into the same Google account on each one.

Key Takeaways

  • You change your default search engine through Chrome's Settings menu, not through an extension or a website.
  • Chrome offers Bing, DuckDuckGo, Yahoo, and Baidu as built-in options, plus the ability to add custom search engines.
  • The change takes effect when ready and applies every time you search from the address bar.
  • If you sign into Chrome with your Google account, your search engine choice syncs across all your devices.

How to change your search engine in three steps

Open Chrome and click the three vertical dots in the top right corner of the window. This opens Chrome's main menu. From that menu, select Settings.

On the left side of the Settings page, click Search engine. You will see a list of search engines Chrome recognizes, with your current default marked by a filled circle next to its name.

Click the search engine you want to use. The change happens when ready — you do not need to restart Chrome or confirm anything. The next time you search from the address bar, Chrome will use your new default.

Built-in search engine options in Chrome

Chrome comes with several search engines already configured. Google is the default. Bing, Microsoft's search engine, is the second most common choice and offers similar results with a different interface. DuckDuckGo is designed around privacy — it does not track your searches or build a profile of your browsing habits. Yahoo uses Bing's search results but adds its own news and content. Baidu is the default search engine in mainland China and searches primarily in Chinese.

If none of these match what you want, you can add a custom search engine. This is useful if you prefer a smaller search engine, a regional one, or one that specializes in a particular type of content.

Adding a custom search engine to Chrome

Go back to Settings and click Search engine. Scroll down to the section labeled Other search engines. Click the Add button.

A small form will appear with three fields. In the first field, type the name of the search engine as you want it to appear in Chrome — for example, "Ecosia" or "StartPage". In the second field, type a short keyboard shortcut (usually just the first letter or two). In the third field, paste the search URL for that engine.

To find the correct search URL, visit the search engine's website, perform a test search, and look at the address bar. The URL will contain your search term. Replace your search term with %s and paste that modified URL into Chrome's form. For example, if Ecosia's search URL is ecosia.org/search?q=test, you would enter ecosia.org/search?q=%s. Click Add and your custom search engine is ready to use.

What happens to your old search engine

Changing your default search engine does not delete or disable Google or any other engine. All the search engines you have configured remain available in Chrome's search engine list. If you ever want to switch back, you can do so in the same Settings menu in seconds.

Your browsing history, bookmarks, and saved passwords are not affected by changing your search engine. Only the engine that Chrome uses when you search from the address bar changes.

How search engine choice affects your experience

Different search engines return different results for the same query. Google tends to prioritize recent, popular, and well-linked pages. Bing often surfaces different news sources and images. DuckDuckGo emphasizes exact-match results without personalization. If you switch to a new engine and the results feel less relevant at first, give it a few searches — you may straightforward be adjusting to a different ranking style.

Your choice of search engine also affects what data is collected about your searches. Google stores your search history tied to your Google account (unless you turn off Web & App Activity). DuckDuckGo does not store searches at all. Bing stores searches but offers more privacy controls than Google. If privacy is your main concern, DuckDuckGo or StartPage are common choices.

Syncing your search engine choice across devices

If you sign into Chrome with your Google account, Chrome syncs your settings across every device where you use that account. This includes your choice of default search engine. If you change your search engine on your laptop, it will automatically change on your phone and tablet the next time those devices sync with your account.

To check whether sync is turned on, open Chrome Settings, click You and Google at the top, and look for Sync and Google services. If you see a blue toggle next to Sync everything, your settings are syncing. If you have turned off sync for specific categories, make sure Settings is toggled on.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing my search engine affect my Google account or Gmail?

No. Your Google account, Gmail, and Google Drive remain completely separate from your choice of search engine. You can use Gmail and Google services while searching with Bing, DuckDuckGo, or any other engine. Changing your search engine only changes what happens when you type a query into Chrome's address bar.

Can a website force me to use a different search engine?

A malicious website or unwanted software can sometimes change your default search engine without your permission. If you notice your search engine has changed and you did not change it yourself, go back to Chrome Settings and switch it back. If it keeps changing, you may have unwanted software installed — run a malware scan on your computer.

Does changing my search engine make Chrome faster or slower?

No. Search speed depends on the search engine's servers and your internet connection, not on Chrome itself. Switching from Google to Bing or DuckDuckGo will not make Chrome faster or slower. The browser's performance stays the same regardless of which search engine you use.

What if I want to use different search engines for different searches?

You can search with any engine by visiting its website directly — Google.com, Bing.com, DuckDuckGo.com, and so on. You can also right-click in the address bar and select "Search with [engine name]" to search with a non-default engine for a single query. Your default choice only applies when you use the address bar without visiting a search engine's site first.