What you can change on Google's homepage

Google's homepage lets you add a background image, change the color scheme, and add shortcuts to your most-visited websites. You cannot move the search box itself or remove Google's logo, but you can personalize nearly everything around them. The changes you make stay on your device — if you sign into Google on a different computer or phone, you will see the default homepage unless you customize that device too.

Most customization happens through the "Customize" button that appears when you hover your mouse over the bottom-right corner of the homepage. Some options require you to be signed into your Google account, while others work whether you are signed in or not.

Key Takeaways

  • Click the "Customize" button in the bottom-right corner of the Google homepage to access background images, color themes, and shortcut settings.
  • You can upload your own image as a background or choose from Google's collection of photographs organized by category.
  • Shortcuts to your most-visited websites appear as clickable tiles below the search box and can be added, removed, or rearranged.
  • Customizations are stored on your device and browser — signing into Google on another computer will show the default homepage unless you customize it there too.
  • Dark mode and light mode options are available under the color theme section and affect how the homepage looks without changing how Google Search works.

Adding and changing a background image

Click the "Customize" button in the bottom-right corner of the homepage. A panel will open on the left side showing your current background and several options. Select "Background" at the top of this panel.

Google offers two ways to set a background. The first is to choose from Google's collection: click "Upload from device" or browse the pre-made categories like Nature, Cityscapes, or Abstract. When you click an image, it appears when ready on your homepage. The second way is to upload your own image from your computer: click "Upload from device," select a photo from your files, and Google will resize it to fit the homepage.

If you want to remove the background and return to the plain white or dark homepage, open the Customize panel again, select "Background," and click the trash icon next to your current background.

Changing the color theme

The color theme controls whether the Google logo, search box, and text appear in light or dark mode. Open the Customize panel and select "Color" near the top. You will see options for Light, Dark, and Device Default (which matches your computer's system settings).

Choosing Dark makes the homepage background dark with light text, which many people find easier on the eyes in low light. Light keeps the traditional white background. Device Default automatically switches between light and dark based on your computer's settings — if you have Windows or Mac set to dark mode, the homepage will be dark too.

Adding shortcuts to your favorite websites

Shortcuts appear as small tiles below the search box and let you jump to your most-visited websites with one click. Google automatically creates shortcuts based on the sites you visit most often, but you can add, remove, or change them manually.

To add a shortcut, click the plus sign (+) that appears when you hover over the shortcuts area. Type the website name or URL, and Google will create a tile with the site's logo and name. To remove a shortcut, hover over it and click the X that appears. To rearrange shortcuts, click and drag them to a new position.

You can have up to 10 shortcuts visible on the homepage. If you add more than 10, the extras will be hidden until you remove some of the visible ones.

Syncing customizations across devices with a Google account

If you sign into your Google account on multiple devices, your homepage customizations do not automatically sync between them. Each device stores its own version of your customized homepage. This means if you set a background image on your laptop, that same background will not appear on your phone or work computer unless you customize those devices separately.

To use the same customization on another device, you need to repeat the steps on that device. Open the Customize panel, choose the same background image or color theme, and add the same shortcuts. This takes a few minutes but ensures your homepage looks the way you want it on every device you use.

Resetting your homepage to the default

If you want to undo all your customizations and return to Google's default homepage, open the Customize panel and look for a "Reset to default" option. Clicking this will remove your background image, return the color theme to Light, and clear all your custom shortcuts. Your shortcuts will be replaced with Google's automatic suggestions based on your browsing history.

You can also reset individual elements: remove just the background by clicking the trash icon in the Background section, or delete individual shortcuts by clicking the X on each tile. There is no undo button, so if you remove something and want it back, you will need to add it again manually.

Troubleshooting common customization problems

If your customizations disappear when you close your browser, you may have browsing data set to clear on exit. Check your browser settings: in Chrome, go to Settings > Privacy and Security > Clear browsing data, and make sure "Cookies and other site data" is not set to clear on exit. In Firefox, go to Settings > Privacy & Security and check that "Delete cookies and site data when Firefox is closed" is unchecked.

If your background image does not appear but other customizations do, the image file may be too large or in an unsupported format. Google accepts JPG, PNG, and GIF files. Try uploading a different image or choosing one from Google's collection instead. If shortcuts are not saving, try signing out and signing back into your Google account, then customize again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a video or animated image as my homepage background?

No, Google's homepage only supports static images. You can upload JPG, PNG, or GIF files, but animated GIFs will display as a still frame. If you want a moving background, you would need to use a browser extension or change your homepage to a different website.

Will my customizations appear when I use Google in incognito or private mode?

No, incognito and private browsing modes do not load your customizations. When you open a private window, you will see the default Google homepage. Your customizations return when you close the private window and browse normally again.

What happens to my customizations if I clear my browser cache?

Clearing your cache may remove your customizations if they are stored as temporary files. To keep your customizations, sign into your Google account before customizing your homepage — this stores some settings with your account rather than just on your device.

Can I customize the Google homepage on my phone or tablet?

Yes, the process is similar on mobile devices. Open Google in your browser, tap the Customize button (usually in the bottom-right corner), and follow the same steps to add a background or change colors. Shortcuts work the same way, though the layout may be different on smaller screens.

Does customizing my homepage affect my search results or privacy?

No, customizing your homepage only changes how the page looks. It does not change how Google Search works, what results you see, or what data Google collects. Your search history and privacy settings remain separate from your homepage customization.