What "default search engine" means and why you might change it
Your default search engine is the search tool that runs when you type a question into the address bar at the top of your browser — the bar where you normally type website names. Right now, you might have Bing, Yahoo, or another search engine set as your default. Changing it to Google means that when you type "weather today" into that bar, Google will search instead of whatever you have now.
This is different from making Chrome your default browser. You can use Chrome as your browser but search with Bing, or use Firefox as your browser but search with Google. This guide covers only the search engine part.
Most people change to Google because they prefer how Google's search results look, or because they want the same search engine across all their devices. The change takes about one minute and you can reverse it anytime.
Key Takeaways
- Open Chrome, click the three vertical dots in the top right corner, select Settings, then choose Search Engine from the left menu.
- Click the dropdown next to "Search engine used in the address bar" and select Google from the list.
- If Google does not appear in the dropdown, you may need to visit Google.com first so Chrome can detect it as an option.
- The change takes effect when ready — your next search in the address bar will use Google.
- You can change back to a different search engine anytime by returning to the same Settings menu.
Steps to change your default search engine to Google
Open Google Chrome. Click the three vertical dots (called the menu button) in the top right corner of the window, next to your profile picture. A dropdown menu will appear.
From that menu, click Settings. A new page will open. On the left side, you will see a menu with several options. Click Search engine.
You will now see a section labeled "Search engine used in the address bar." Below that is a dropdown menu showing your current default search engine. Click that dropdown to see all available options. Look for Google in the list and click it. The page will update when ready — you do not need to click Save or Confirm.
Close the Settings tab. Your default search engine is now Google. You can test it by clicking the address bar and typing a question, then pressing Enter.
What to do if Google does not appear in the dropdown list
If you open the dropdown and Google is not there, Chrome has not yet detected Google as an option on your computer. This usually happens if you have never visited Google.com in Chrome before. The fix is straightforward: visit Google first.
Open a new tab in Chrome and type google.com into the address bar, then press Enter. The Google homepage will load. You do not need to do anything else — just let the page load completely. Close that tab and go back to Settings > Search engine. Google should now appear in the dropdown list. Click it to set it as your default.
How to search using Google after you change your default
Once Google is your default search engine, searching is the same as before — you just use Google's results instead of your old search engine's. Click the address bar at the top of Chrome, type your question or search term, and press Enter. Google will search and show you results.
You can also visit google.com directly anytime and search from there. Setting Google as your default does not force you to use it — it just makes it the automatic choice when you search from the address bar.
Changing your default search engine back if you change your mind
If you decide you prefer a different search engine, the process is identical. Open Chrome, click the three dots, go to Settings, click Search engine, and choose a different option from the dropdown. Your old search engine will be replaced when ready.
The search engines available in your dropdown depend on which ones you have visited in Chrome. If you want to use a search engine that does not appear in the list, visit that search engine's website first (for example, duckduckgo.com or bing.com), then return to Settings and it should appear as an option.
Why your search engine choice matters across devices
If you sign into Chrome with a Google account on multiple devices — such as your phone, tablet, and computer — your search engine choice will sync across all of them. This means if you set Google as your default on your computer, it will also become your default on your phone the next time Chrome updates on that phone.
If you do not want this to happen, you can turn off sync for settings. Go to Settings, click Sync and Google services on the left, then toggle off "Sync everything." You can then choose which items to sync and which to keep separate on each device. Most people leave sync on because it makes their devices work the same way.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will changing my default search engine affect my bookmarks or browsing history?
No. Your bookmarks, history, saved passwords, and all other Chrome data stay exactly the same. Only the search engine that runs when you use the address bar changes.
Can I use Google for some searches and a different search engine for others?
Not automatically with the default setting. However, you can always visit a different search engine's website directly — for example, go to bing.com and search there — even if Google is your default. Your default only controls what happens when you search from the address bar.
What if I share my computer with other people?
Each person who has their own Chrome profile on the computer can have a different default search engine. When you click your profile picture in the top right of Chrome, you can switch between profiles. Each profile has its own settings, bookmarks, and history.
Does changing my search engine cost anything?
No. Google, Bing, Yahoo, and other search engines are free to use. Changing your default search engine does not cost money and does not add any charges to your internet bill.
Will my internet speed change if I switch to Google?
No. Your internet speed depends on your internet provider and connection, not on which search engine you use. All major search engines work at similar speeds.