Chrome already uses Google as your default search engine

When you install Chrome on Windows, Mac, or Linux, Google is already set as the default search engine. If you open a new tab and type a question or search term in the address bar, Chrome sends that search to Google automatically. You do not need to change any settings unless a different search engine has taken over — which can happen if you install certain extensions or visit sites that offer to change your defaults.

The confusion often comes from mixing two different things: your default search engine (what happens when you search from the address bar or a new tab) and your default browser (which program opens when you click a link in email or another app). This article covers the search engine side, which is what most people mean when they say "set Google as default in Chrome."

Key Takeaways

  • Google is Chrome's default search engine out of the box on most computers, so you may not need to change anything.
  • If another search engine has taken over, you can restore Google in Chrome's settings under Search Engine in about 30 seconds.
  • Some extensions and websites can change your default search engine without asking, so check your settings if searches suddenly go somewhere else.
  • Removing unwanted extensions and clearing your browser data can prevent other programs from hijacking your search engine.

Check what your current default search engine is

Open Chrome and look at the address bar at the top of the window. Click on it and type a word — anything will do. Before you press Enter, look at the text that appears below the address bar. It will say something like "Search with Google" or "Search with Bing" or "Search with Yahoo." That text tells you which search engine Chrome is currently using.

If it says "Search with Google," you are already set and do not need to do anything else. If it says something else, follow the steps in the next section to change it back.

Restore Google as your default search engine

Open Chrome and click the three vertical dots in the top right corner of the window. A menu will drop down. Click Settings near the bottom of that menu.

On the left side of the Settings page, click Search engine. You will see a list of search engines that Chrome knows about, with one marked as "Default" next to its name. Look for Google in that list. If Google is there but not marked as default, click on Google and then click the Make default button that appears.

If Google does not appear in the list at all, you can add it. Scroll down to the bottom of the search engine list and look for a section called "Other search engines." Click the Add button next to it. Type "Google" in the first field, leave the second field blank, and type "https://www.google.com/search?q=%s" in the third field. Then click Add. Once Google appears in your list, click on it and select Make default.

Close the Settings tab. Your search engine is now set to Google.

Why other search engines sometimes take over

Search engines can change your default without your permission through a few common routes. Some browser extensions — add-ons that change how Chrome works — include code that switches your search engine when you install them. Others appear as legitimate tools but are actually designed to redirect your searches and show you ads.

Websites can also try to change your default. You might see a pop-up that says "Make Bing your default search engine?" or similar. Clicking "Yes" on these prompts will change your setting. The safest approach is to click "No" or close the pop-up without clicking anything.

If your search engine keeps changing back to something other than Google even after you reset it, an extension is probably the cause. Check your extensions and remove any you do not recognize or use.

Remove extensions that may be hijacking your search

Click the three vertical dots in the top right corner of Chrome and hover over More tools. Click Extensions. You will see a list of all the add-ons installed in Chrome.

Look through the list for extensions you do not remember installing or do not use. Common culprits have names like "Web Assistant," "Search Protect," "Delta Toolbar," or anything that promises to improve your shopping or search experience. If you see one you do not recognize, click the trash icon next to it to remove it.

After you remove an extension, go back to Settings and check that Google is still your default search engine. If it has changed again, you may have missed an extension, or another program on your computer is interfering. In that case, restart your computer and check again.

Prevent search engine hijacking in the future

Be cautious when installing new programs or extensions. Before you click "Install" or "Add to Chrome," read what the extension says it will do. If it mentions changing your search engine, homepage, or new tab page, think carefully about whether you actually want that.

When you visit a website that asks you to change your default search engine, you can safely click "No" or close the pop-up. Legitimate search engines like Google do not need your permission pop-ups — they work fine as your default without asking.

Periodically check your extensions list (the steps are above) and remove anything you have not used in a month. This keeps your browser clean and reduces the chance that a forgotten extension will cause problems later.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Google really the default in Chrome, or is that just what Google wants me to think?

Google is Chrome's actual default search engine in most regions because Google and Chrome are both made by the same company. In some countries, local laws require Chrome to offer a choice of search engines on first install. You can always change to a different search engine if you prefer — Bing, DuckDuckGo, and others work just as well.

What is the difference between my default search engine and my default browser?

Your default search engine is what Chrome uses when you search from the address bar. Your default browser is which program (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge) opens when you click a link in email or another app. They are separate settings. This article covers search engine only.

If I set Google as default, will Chrome track everything I do?

Google does track searches you make through its search engine, whether you use Chrome or another browser. If you want to search without Google tracking, you can switch to a privacy-focused search engine like DuckDuckGo using the same steps described above. Your choice of search engine is separate from whether Chrome itself tracks your browsing.

Can I have different default search engines for different tabs?

No. Chrome allows only one default search engine at a time. If you want to use multiple search engines, you can type their URLs directly into the address bar (google.com, duckduckgo.com, bing.com) or open them in separate tabs and switch between them.

Why does my search engine keep changing even after I reset it?

An extension is almost certainly the cause. Go to your Extensions list, remove anything you do not recognize, and restart your computer. If it still changes, check Extensions again — you may have missed one. If you cannot find the culprit, you can reset Chrome to its default state by going to Settings, clicking Reset and clean up on the left, and then clicking Restore settings to their original defaults.