Set Google as your default search engine in three steps

Your default search engine is the one that runs when you type a question directly into the address bar without visiting a search website first. Most browsers ship with Bing or another search engine pre-selected. Changing it to Google takes less than a minute and works the same way across Windows, Mac, and Linux.

The exact steps depend on which browser you use, but the principle is identical: open your browser settings, find the search engine section, and select Google from the list. Google is already available as an option in every major browser — you are not installing anything new, just switching which one is active.

Key Takeaways

  • Your default search engine runs automatically when you type in the address bar, separate from which search website you visit manually.
  • Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge all have Google available as a built-in option and let you change it in settings without restarting.
  • The change takes effect when ready and applies to all new searches from the address bar, but does not affect bookmarks or saved passwords.
  • If you accidentally select the wrong search engine, you can change it back the same way at any time.

Change your default search engine in Chrome

Open Chrome and click the three vertical dots in the top right corner. Select Settings from the menu that appears. On the left side, click Search engine.

You will see a list of search engines Chrome has detected. Google should already be in that list. Click the radio button next to Google to select it. The change happens when ready — you do not need to restart Chrome or click a save button.

If Google does not appear in the list, type a question into the address bar right now. Chrome will add Google to the list automatically. Then return to Settings and select it.

Change your default search engine in Firefox

Open Firefox and click the three horizontal lines in the top right corner. Select Settings. On the left side, click Search.

Under the "Default Search Engine" heading, you will see a dropdown menu showing your current search engine. Click that dropdown and select Google. The change takes effect right away. You can close the settings tab and start searching when ready.

Change your default search engine in Safari

Open Safari and click Safari in the top menu bar (on Mac) or the settings icon (on iPhone or iPad). Select Settings or Preferences.

Click the Search tab. You will see a dropdown menu labeled "Search engine". Click it and select Google. Close the settings window. The change is when ready.

Change your default search engine in Microsoft Edge

Open Edge and click the three dots in the top right corner. Select Settings. On the left side, click Privacy, search, and services.

Scroll down to the "Search engine" section. Click the dropdown next to "Search engine used in the address bar". Select Google. The change happens when ready and applies to all future address bar searches.

What happens after you change your default search engine

Once you set Google as your default, typing a question into the address bar will send that search to Google instead of Bing or whatever was there before. This does not change where you go when you click a bookmark, visit a saved website, or manually type a web address. It only affects searches typed directly into the address bar.

Your browser history, saved passwords, and bookmarks remain unchanged. The switch is purely about which search engine receives your address bar queries. If you change your mind later, you can switch back to any other search engine using the same steps.

Why your browser might have a different default

Browsers come with different default search engines depending on your region and which version you installed. Some computers arrive with Bing set as default because the manufacturer has a partnership with Microsoft. Some phones or tablets default to a search engine based on your location. None of these defaults are permanent — you can always change them.

If you share a computer with other people, changing your default search engine affects only your user account. Each person who logs in can have their own default search engine, and the change you make will not affect theirs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing my default search engine affect my bookmarks or saved passwords?

No. Your default search engine only controls what happens when you type in the address bar. Bookmarks, passwords, browsing history, and all other browser data stay exactly as they are. You can change your default search engine back and forth as many times as you want without losing anything.

What if Google does not show up in my search engine list?

Google is built into every major browser, but it may not appear in the list until you use it once. Type a search question into your address bar. Your browser will detect Google and add it to the available options. Then go back to settings and select it as your default.

Can I set different default search engines for different browsers?

Yes. Each browser has its own settings, completely separate from the others. You can set Google as default in Chrome, Bing in Firefox, and Safari's default in Safari all at the same time. Each browser will use whatever you selected for it.

Does changing my default search engine cost anything?

No. Google is free to use as your default search engine. Your browser is straightforward directing your searches to Google instead of another search engine. There are no fees, subscriptions, or hidden costs involved.

What if I change my default and then want to switch back?

Follow the same steps for your browser and select a different search engine from the dropdown. The change takes effect when ready. You can switch between search engines as often as you want.