Chrome uses Google as the default search engine, but you can switch to Bing, DuckDuckGo, Yahoo, or others in about 30 seconds

When you type in Chrome's address bar without a web address, Chrome sends your search to Google. You can change this so it goes to a different search engine instead. The change happens in Chrome's settings and takes effect when ready — you do not need to restart the browser.

This guide covers desktop Chrome on Windows, Mac, and Linux. The steps are the same across all three. If you use Chrome on a phone or tablet, the process is different and covered in the FAQ section below.

Key Takeaways

  • Open Chrome settings, go to Search engine, and pick a new default from the dropdown list — Google, Bing, DuckDuckGo, Yahoo, and Baidu are built in.
  • You can add a search engine that is not on the list by entering its search URL, though this requires knowing the exact format the engine uses.
  • Changing your default search engine does not affect search results you get from Google links or from the Google homepage itself.
  • If a search engine does not appear in your dropdown, it may have been removed by your organization if you use a work computer.

Open Chrome Settings and Find the Search Engine Menu

Click the three vertical dots in the top right corner of Chrome. A menu drops down. Click Settings near the bottom of that menu.

On the left side of the settings page, click Search engine. You will see a dropdown that says "Google" (or whatever your current default is) and a list of search engines below it.

Choose a Built-In Search Engine

Click the dropdown at the top of the Search engine section. You will see these options: Google, Bing, DuckDuckGo, Yahoo, and Baidu. Click whichever one you want to use.

That is the entire process. The next time you type in the address bar, your new search engine will handle the search. You do not need to close and reopen Chrome.

Add a Search Engine That Is Not on the List

If you want to use a search engine that does not appear in the dropdown, you can add it manually. Scroll down on the Search engine settings page to a section called Other search engines. Click the Add button.

A small form appears with three fields: Search engine name, Shortcut, and URL with %s in place of query. The name is what you will see in Chrome. The shortcut is a keyboard shortcut you can use in the address bar (optional). The URL is the tricky part — you need to know the exact search URL format the engine uses.

To find the URL, go to the search engine's website, do a test search for something like "test", and look at the address bar. The URL will have "test" somewhere in it. Replace "test" with %s and paste that into the URL field. For example, if the search URL is example.com/search?q=test, you would enter example.com/search?q=%s.

Once you fill in all three fields, click Add. The search engine now appears in your dropdown list. Click it to make it your default.

What Happens When You Change Your Default

When you type words into Chrome's address bar (also called the omnibox), Chrome sends them to your default search engine. If you search for "weather" and your default is Bing, Bing returns the results. If you change it to DuckDuckGo, DuckDuckGo returns the results instead.

This does not change what happens when you click a Google link or visit google.com directly. Those still use Google. Your default search engine only controls what happens when you type in the address bar.

If you have bookmarks or shortcuts that link directly to a search engine, those are not affected either. A bookmark to Bing stays a bookmark to Bing even if your default is DuckDuckGo.

Why Your Search Engine Might Not Change

If you click the dropdown and do not see the search engine you want, or if the dropdown is grayed out, your computer may be managed by an organization. Schools, workplaces, and libraries sometimes lock down Chrome settings so users cannot change them. Contact your IT department or the person who manages your computer.

If you installed an extension recently and your default search engine changed without you doing it, the extension may have changed it. Go back to the Search engine settings page and switch it back to what you want. Then go to your extensions (click the three dots, then More tools, then Extensions) and remove any extension you do not recognize or trust.

Removing a Search Engine You Added

If you added a custom search engine and want to remove it, go to Search engine settings and scroll to Other search engines. Find the engine you want to remove, click the three dots next to it, and click Remove.

You cannot remove the built-in search engines (Google, Bing, DuckDuckGo, Yahoo, Baidu) from the list, but you can remove any custom one you added.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I change the default search engine on Chrome for Android or iPhone?

On Android, open Chrome, tap the three dots at the bottom right, go to Settings, then Search engine, and pick a new default. On iPhone, open Chrome, tap the three dots at the bottom, go to Settings, then Search engine, and choose one. The process is the same as desktop but the menu locations are different because of how mobile apps work.

Will changing my search engine affect my browsing history or saved passwords?

No. Your search engine setting is separate from your history, passwords, bookmarks, and other data. Changing it does not touch any of those.

Can I use a different search engine for private browsing?

No. Chrome uses the same default search engine for both regular and private browsing. You cannot set different defaults for each mode.

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

You can go directly to that search engine's website and search there. For example, if your default is Bing but you want to search with DuckDuckGo once, go to duckduckgo.com and search from there. You do not have to change your default.

Does changing my search engine make Chrome faster or slower?

No. The speed of your searches depends on your internet connection and how fast the search engine's servers are, not on Chrome itself. Switching from Google to Bing or DuckDuckGo will not make Chrome run faster or slower.