Chrome uses Google by default, but you can switch to Bing, DuckDuckGo, or another search engine in under a minute

When you type in Chrome's address bar without a web address, Chrome searches using whatever engine you have set as default. By default, that is Google. You can change it to Bing, DuckDuckGo, Yahoo, Ecosia, or several others. The change takes effect when ready and applies to all searches from the address bar, but does not affect searches you run directly on a search engine's website.

The process is the same on Windows, Mac, Linux, and Chromebook. You do not need to restart Chrome or clear any data.

Key Takeaways

  • Open Chrome settings, go to Search Engine, and pick a new default from the dropdown menu.
  • Chrome offers Bing, DuckDuckGo, Yahoo, and Ecosia as built-in options without installing anything.
  • If your preferred search engine is not in the list, you can add it manually by entering its search URL.
  • Changing your default search engine does not affect searches you run on a search engine's website directly.
  • Some extensions or malware can change your default search engine without permission; check settings if you notice an unexpected change.

How to change your default search engine in three steps

Open Chrome and click the three-line menu icon in the top right corner. Select Settings from the dropdown.

On the left side of the Settings page, click Search engine. You will see a dropdown menu labeled "Search engine used in the address bar" with your current default selected.

Click the dropdown and choose the search engine you want. Chrome will switch to it when ready. Close the Settings tab when you are done.

Built-in search engines Chrome offers

Chrome comes with several search engines ready to use without any extra steps. Google is the default. Bing is Microsoft's search engine and works similarly to Google. DuckDuckGo does not track your search history or follow you across websites. Yahoo uses Bing's results but adds its own features. Ecosia uses Bing's results and donates its profits to tree-planting projects.

If you use one of these regularly on its own website, switching it to your default in Chrome means your address bar searches will go there too. If you rarely use one, leaving Google as your default and visiting that search engine directly when you need it works just as well.

Adding a search engine that is not on the list

If your preferred search engine does not appear in Chrome's dropdown, you can add it manually. Open Settings, go to Search engine, and scroll down to "Other search engines." Click Add.

You will see three fields: a name for the search engine (for example, "Startpage"), a keyboard shortcut (optional), and a URL. The URL is the tricky part. You need the search URL, not the homepage URL. To find it, visit the search engine's website, search for any word, and copy the URL from your address bar. Then replace the word you searched for with %s. For example, if you searched for "test" and the URL is https://example.com/search?q=test, you would enter https://example.com/search?q=%s. Click Add to save it.

Once you add it, it appears in your search engine dropdown and you can set it as default.

Why your default search engine might change on its own

If you notice your default search engine has switched without your action, an extension or piece of malware may have changed it. Open Settings and check your Search engine dropdown. If it shows something you did not choose, change it back to what you want.

Then check your extensions. Click the puzzle-piece icon in the top right of Chrome, then click the three dots next to any extension you do not recognize or trust. Select Remove from Chrome. Extensions that hijack your search engine are often installed without clear consent during software downloads or through deceptive ads.

If you cannot find an extension causing the problem, run a malware scan on your computer using Windows Defender (Windows), Activity Monitor (Mac), or your antivirus software.

The difference between address bar search and website search

Your default search engine only affects what happens when you type in Chrome's address bar at the top of the window. If you go directly to Google's website or DuckDuckGo's website and search there, that search uses that website's engine regardless of your Chrome default.

This means changing your default does not break anything. You can still visit any search engine's website anytime and search there instead. Your default just determines what Chrome does when you use the address bar as a shortcut.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

No. Changing your default search engine only changes where address bar searches go. Your bookmarks, history, passwords, and all other data remain exactly the same.

Can I use different search engines for different profiles in Chrome?

Yes. Each Chrome profile has its own settings. If you have multiple profiles, you can set a different default search engine for each one. Open Settings while logged into a profile, change the search engine, and that change applies only to that profile.

What if I want to search with a different engine just once without changing my default?

Type your search in the address bar, then before you press Enter, look at the suggestion dropdown. You will see your default search engine listed. Click the down arrow next to it to see other search engines you have added, and pick one for that single search.

Will changing my search engine make Chrome slower?

No. Search engine choice does not affect Chrome's speed. All major search engines return results at similar speeds.

Can I set a different search engine for private browsing?

No. Chrome uses the same default search engine for both regular and private browsing windows. If you want a different engine for private searches, you would need to use a different browser or manually visit that search engine's website.