Firefox lets you change your default search engine in Settings, and you can switch between different search engines without reinstalling anything
When you type in the address bar without a web address, Firefox sends your search to a default search engine — usually Google. You can change this to Bing, DuckDuckGo, Yahoo, or several others in about 30 seconds. The change applies when ready to all your searches from the address bar, and you can switch back anytime.
This matters if you want a search engine that handles privacy differently, returns results you find more useful, or straightforward prefer a different interface. Firefox makes the switch straightforward because the search engine is a setting, not a locked-in feature.
Key Takeaways
- Open Firefox Settings, go to Search, and pick a new default search engine from the list under "Default Search Engine."
- Firefox includes Google, Bing, DuckDuckGo, Yahoo, and Baidu as built-in options; you can add others through the search bar itself.
- You can set different search engines for the address bar and the search box, or use one search engine for normal searches and another for private browsing.
- Changing your search engine does not affect your bookmarks, passwords, or browsing history.
How to change your default search engine through Settings
Open Firefox and click the menu button (three horizontal lines) in the top right corner. Select Settings. On the left sidebar, click Search.
Under the "Default Search Engine" section, you will see a dropdown menu showing your current search engine. Click the dropdown and select the search engine you want. The change takes effect when ready — the next time you search from the address bar, Firefox will use your new choice.
The built-in options are Google, Bing, DuckDuckGo, Yahoo, and Baidu. If you want a search engine not on this list, you can add it through the search bar itself (see the section below on adding custom search engines).
How to add a search engine that is not in the default list
If you want to use a search engine Firefox does not include by default, you can add it by visiting the search engine's website and using its search box. For example, to add Ecosia (a search engine that plants trees), go to ecosia.org, click in the search box at the top of the page, right-click it, and select Add "Ecosia" as a search engine. Firefox will remember it and add it to your list.
Once you add a custom search engine this way, it appears in your Settings under Search in a section called "One-Click Search Engines." You can then set it as your default by going back to Settings, clicking the dropdown under "Default Search Engine," and selecting it. You can also remove any search engine from this list by clicking the X next to its name.
Not every website offers this option — it depends on whether the site has set up its search function to work with Firefox's system. If the right-click option does not appear, the search engine may not support it.
Using different search engines for the address bar and the search box
Firefox has two places where you can search: the address bar (where you type web addresses) and the search box (a separate box on the page, if your homepage or new tab page has one). By default, both use the same search engine. You can change them separately if you want.
In Settings under Search, the "Default Search Engine" dropdown controls the address bar. Below that, you will see "Search Shortcuts" — a list of search engines with small icons. You can click any of these icons to search with that engine without changing your default. This is useful if you want Google as your main search engine but occasionally want to search with DuckDuckGo without switching your settings back and forth.
Setting a different search engine for private browsing
If you use Firefox's private browsing mode and want a different search engine there, you can set one. Open Settings, go to Search, and scroll down to "Private Windows." Check the box next to "Use a separate search engine for private windows" and select which engine you want to use when you are in private mode.
This is useful if you want more privacy-focused searching (like DuckDuckGo) when you are in private mode but prefer Google's results for regular browsing. Private mode itself does not send your searches anywhere different — it just does not save your history locally — so changing the search engine is a separate choice about which company receives your search queries.
What happens to your data when you change search engines
Changing your search engine does not affect your bookmarks, saved passwords, browsing history, or any other data in Firefox. It only changes where your future searches go. Your old search history stays in Firefox's history (you can view it by pressing Ctrl+H on Windows or Linux, or Command+Y on Mac), but it does not move to the new search engine.
If you switch from Google to DuckDuckGo, for example, DuckDuckGo will not see your old Google searches. Each search engine only knows about the searches you send to it going forward.
Removing a search engine or resetting to Firefox defaults
To remove a custom search engine you added, go to Settings, click Search, find the engine under "One-Click Search Engines," and click the X next to its name. Built-in search engines (Google, Bing, DuckDuckGo, Yahoo, Baidu) cannot be removed, but you can stop using them by choosing a different default.
If you want to reset your search settings to Firefox's defaults, you can do this through Firefox's troubleshooting page. Type about:support in the address bar and press Enter. Under "process Basics," click the button that says Refresh Firefox. This will reset your search engine to Google and remove any custom search engines you added, but it will not delete your bookmarks or passwords.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a different search engine on my phone version of Firefox?
Yes. On Firefox for Android or iOS, tap the menu button (three dots), go to Settings, select Search, and choose your default search engine from the list. The process is the same as on desktop, though the menu layout is slightly different.
Why does my search engine keep changing back to Google?
This usually happens if you reinstall Firefox or if a website or extension is changing your settings without permission. Check your installed extensions by going to Settings, clicking Extensions & Themes, and removing anything you do not recognize. If the problem persists, you can refresh Firefox (see the section on resetting to defaults) or check whether malware is present on your computer.
Does changing my search engine make me more private?
It changes which company receives your search queries, but it does not make Firefox itself more private. DuckDuckGo and Ecosia collect less data than Google, but they still see what you search for. For stronger privacy, combine a privacy-focused search engine with Firefox's Enhanced Tracking Protection (turned on by default) and consider using private browsing mode.
Can I search with a different engine without changing my default?
Yes. In the search box on your homepage or new tab page, you can click the search engine icons below the search field to switch engines for a single search. You can also right-click in the address bar and select "Search with [engine name]" to search with a different engine without changing your default.
What if I want to use a search engine that is not available in Firefox?
If the search engine has a website and a working search box, you can usually add it by visiting the site, right-clicking the search box, and selecting "Add as search engine." If that does not work, the search engine may not support Firefox's system. You can still use it by visiting the website directly and searching there.