Chrome uses Google by default, but you can switch to Bing, DuckDuckGo, or others in two minutes

When you type in Chrome's address bar, the search goes to Google automatically. You can change this to any search engine you prefer — Bing, DuckDuckGo, Brave Search, or dozens of others — without installing anything extra. The change takes effect when ready and applies to every search you do in that address bar.

The reason to switch is usually privacy. Google records your searches and ties them to your account. DuckDuckGo does not. Bing is somewhere in between. Some people switch for different search results, or because they prefer a search engine's interface. The choice is yours, and Chrome makes it straightforward.

Key Takeaways

  • You change your default search engine in Chrome Settings under Search Engine, not through any extension or read.
  • Chrome offers Bing, DuckDuckGo, Brave Search, and others as built-in options; you do not need to add them yourself.
  • The change applies only to searches typed in the address bar, not to searches within websites you visit.
  • You can add a search engine manually if your preferred one is not in the list, using its search URL.
  • Changing your search engine does not affect your browsing history, passwords, or any other Chrome data.

The fastest way: use Chrome's built-in search engine list

Open Chrome and click the three vertical dots in the top right corner. Select Settings. On the left side, click Search engine. You will see a list of search engines Chrome already knows about: Google, Bing, DuckDuckGo, Brave Search, and a few others depending on your region.

Click the one you want. It becomes your default when ready. The next time you type something in the address bar and press Enter, it will search using that engine instead of Google.

That is the entire process. You do not need to restart Chrome, clear anything, or confirm the change. It works right away.

Adding a search engine that is not on Chrome's list

If your preferred search engine is not in the built-in list, you can add it manually. Go back to Settings > Search engine. Scroll down to Other search engines and click Add.

You will need three pieces of information: the name of the search engine (for example, "Ecosia"), a short keyword you can type to use it (for example, "e"), and the search URL. The search URL is the tricky part. Go to the search engine's website, search for something, and look at the URL in your address bar. Find the part where your search term appears and replace it with %s. For example, if Ecosia's search URL is ecosia.org/search?q=your+search+here, you would enter ecosia.org/search?q=%s.

Paste that into Chrome's form and click Add. The search engine is now available in your list. You can make it your default by clicking it in the Search engine settings.

Why you might want to switch from Google

Google's search is fast and thorough, but it records every search you make and stores it in your Google account. If you are signed into Chrome with a Google account, Google knows what you searched for, when, and from where. That data feeds into Google's advertising profile of you and can be subpoenaed by law enforcement.

DuckDuckGo does not store your searches at all. It does not create a profile of you. Bing stores searches but does not tie them to your personal identity unless you are signed into a Microsoft account. Brave Search is newer and does not store searches by default. Each has different privacy trade-offs, and none of them are perfect — they all still need to function as search engines, which requires some data collection.

Some people also switch because they prefer the search results. Google prioritizes recent, popular content. DuckDuckGo weights different sources differently. Bing sometimes surfaces different results. The only way to know which you prefer is to try one for a week and see if you find what you are looking for.

What changes and what does not

Changing your default search engine affects only searches you type into Chrome's address bar. It does not change searches you do on Google's homepage, or searches within Facebook, Wikipedia, or any other website. Those sites have their own search boxes and their own defaults.

The change also does not affect your browsing history, saved passwords, bookmarks, or any other Chrome data. It does not clear your cookies or sign you out of anything. It is purely a change to which search engine handles your address bar queries.

If you are signed into Chrome with a Google account, Google can still see your browsing history through other means — through your Google account activity, through Google Analytics on websites you visit, and through Google's ad network. Changing your search engine does not change that. If privacy from Google is your goal, you would also need to consider signing out of your Google account in Chrome, or using a different browser for sensitive searches.

Switching back to Google or changing your mind later

If you change your search engine and decide you want Google back, the process is identical. Go to Settings > Search engine and click Google. You can switch between search engines as many times as you want, and there is no penalty for doing so.

Some people use different search engines for different purposes. You might use DuckDuckGo for private searches and Google for everything else, for example. Chrome only lets you set one default, but you can always type a search engine's URL directly into the address bar if you want to use a different one for a single search.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does changing my search engine make me more private?

Partially. It stops that particular search engine from recording your searches, but it does not hide your searches from your internet service provider, your employer if you are on a work network, or the websites you visit. For real privacy, you would also need to use a VPN or Tor, and consider whether you are signed into accounts that track you.

Will changing my search engine slow down Chrome?

No. All major search engines are fast. The speed difference between Google, Bing, and DuckDuckGo is negligible for most people. If you notice Chrome feeling slower after switching, the cause is something else.

Can I use a different search engine on my phone?

Yes. Chrome on Android and iOS has the same Settings > Search engine menu. The process is identical. Your phone and desktop Chrome do not have to use the same search engine.

What if I want to search with Google just once, without changing my default?

Type google.com into your address bar and search from Google's homepage. Or, if you have set a keyword for Google in your other search engines list, you can type that keyword followed by your search term in the address bar to force Google for that one search.

Does DuckDuckGo work as well as Google for finding things?

For most searches, yes. DuckDuckGo actually uses results from other search engines behind the scenes, so you get a broad index. For very specific or technical searches, some people find Google returns better results. The only way to know is to try it for a few days and see if you find what you need.