Chrome uses Google as its default search engine by default, but you can verify and change this setting in a few clicks

When you open a new tab in Chrome and type in the address bar, Chrome sends your search to a search engine. Most of the time that engine is Google, but it might not be — your computer manufacturer, internet provider, or an extension you installed could have changed it. You can see which search engine Chrome is using right now and switch back to Google (or to any other search engine) in Chrome's settings.

This is different from setting Chrome itself as your default browser. This article covers search engines only. If you want Chrome to be the browser that opens when you click a link in email or another app, that is a separate setting on your operating system.

Key Takeaways

  • Chrome's search engine setting is in Settings > Search engine, where you can see which engine is active and switch to Google in seconds.
  • Google is usually the default already, but malware, browser extensions, or manufacturer settings can change it without asking you.
  • You can also set a search engine for private browsing separately from your regular browsing.
  • If Google does not appear in the list of search engines, you can add it manually by entering Google's search URL.

How to check and change your search engine in Chrome

Open Chrome and click the three vertical dots in the top right corner. Select Settings from the menu. On the left side, click Search engine. You will see a dropdown menu labeled "Search engine used in the address bar" with the name of your current search engine displayed.

Click the dropdown to see all available search engines. If Google is in the list, click it to make it your default. Chrome will switch when ready — no restart needed. If you use Google regularly, it should appear in this list because Chrome learns which search engines you use.

If Google does not appear in the list, scroll down to the "Other search engines" section. Click the three dots next to any search engine and select Make default. If Google still is not there, you can add it: scroll to the bottom and click Add, then enter "Google" as the name, "g" as the shortcut, and https://www.google.com/search?q=%s as the URL. Click Add, then make it your default.

Why your search engine might have changed

Chrome starts with Google as the default search engine. If you see a different engine, something changed it. Browser extensions are the most common culprit — some extensions you install intentionally, or that come bundled with other software, will swap your search engine without asking. Malware can do the same thing. Your computer manufacturer or internet provider might also set a different default.

If you find an unfamiliar search engine in your list, you can remove it. Click the three dots next to it and select Remove from list. This does not uninstall anything — it just removes that search engine from your options. If an extension keeps changing your search engine back, you may need to uninstall that extension or check its settings to turn off the behavior.

Setting a different search engine for private browsing

Chrome lets you use one search engine for normal browsing and a different one for private browsing (Incognito mode). Open Settings and click Search engine. Scroll down to find Search engine used in private windows and click its dropdown. Select the search engine you want to use when you browse privately.

This is useful if you want Google for everyday searches but prefer a privacy-focused engine like DuckDuckGo when you are browsing sensitive topics. The setting applies only to new Incognito windows you open after you change it.

Removing search engines you do not use

Over time, Chrome collects search engines from websites you visit and extensions you install. Your search engine list can become cluttered. To clean it up, go to Settings > Search engine and scroll to "Other search engines." Click the three dots next to any engine you do not want and select Remove from list.

Removing a search engine from the list does not affect your browsing history or any websites you have visited. It only removes that engine from your dropdown menu. You can always add it back later if you change your mind.

What to do if Google will not stay as your default

If you set Google as your default search engine but it keeps changing back, an extension or program on your computer is overriding your choice. First, check your installed extensions. Click the puzzle piece icon in the top right of Chrome, then click the three dots next to each extension and select Remove from Chrome for any you do not recognize or trust. Restart Chrome and check your search engine setting again.

If the problem continues, malware might be involved. Run a malware scan using Windows Defender (on Windows) or the built-in security tools on your Mac. If you are not sure how to do this, search for "malware scan" plus your operating system name. After scanning and removing any threats, restart your computer and check Chrome's search engine setting once more.

Using keyboard shortcuts to search with your default engine

Once you have set your default search engine, you can search quickly without clicking. Click the address bar (or press Ctrl+L on Windows, Command+L on Mac), type your search term, and press Enter. Chrome will search using your default engine. You can also highlight text on any webpage, right-click it, and select Search [engine name] for "[text]" to search that phrase when ready.

If you want to search with a different engine without changing your default, you can use search shortcuts. In Settings > Search engine, each engine has a one or two-letter shortcut (usually shown in the list). Type that shortcut in the address bar, press Space or Tab, then type your search term and press Enter. For example, if DuckDuckGo's shortcut is "d", you would type "d [search term]" to search DuckDuckGo without making it your default.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use different search engines on different devices?

Yes. Each device has its own Chrome settings. If you sign into the same Google account on multiple devices, Chrome can sync your settings across them — including your search engine choice — but you can turn off sync for search engines if you want different defaults on different devices. Go to Settings > Sync and turn off "Search engines" to keep each device's search settings separate.

Does changing my search engine affect my browsing history?

No. Your browsing history, bookmarks, and saved passwords are separate from your search engine setting. Changing which search engine you use will not delete or change any of your saved information.

What if I want to search without using any search engine?

You can type a website address directly into the address bar instead of searching. If you type "example.com" without "www" or "https", Chrome will still take you there. You can also use your browser history by clicking the address bar and scrolling through recent sites.

Why does Google sometimes not appear in my search engine list?

Google should always be available in Chrome. If it is missing, an extension may have hidden it, or your computer's settings may be restricting it. Try removing unfamiliar extensions, then restart Chrome. If Google still does not appear, add it manually using the steps in the "How to check and change your search engine" section above.