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 can also turn the search bar into a dark mode version and adjust the position of the Google logo. These changes stay on your device and in your browser — they do not sync across other computers or phones unless you sign into the same Google account.

The customization options are built into Google's homepage itself. You do not need to download anything or change your browser settings. All the tools you need appear when you click the pencil icon in the bottom right corner of the Google homepage.

Key Takeaways

  • Click the pencil icon in the bottom right corner of Google's homepage to open the customization menu.
  • You can upload your own image as a background, choose from Google's collection, or use a solid color.
  • Add shortcuts to websites you visit often by clicking the plus icon and typing the website address.
  • Dark mode, logo position, and search bar style can all be toggled on or off from the same menu.
  • Your customizations save automatically and appear the next time you visit Google's homepage in that browser.

How to add a background image

Open Google.com and look for the pencil icon in the bottom right corner. Click it to open the customization panel. Select "Background" from the menu that appears.

You will see three options: "Uploads" to use a photo from your computer, "Collections" to choose from Google's pre-made images, or "Colors" to set a solid background. If you choose "Uploads", click the plus icon, find a photo on your device, and select it. The image will appear behind the search bar and Google logo. If you choose "Collections", browse through categories like nature, art, or travel and click the image you want.

Your background choice saves immediately. The next time you visit Google.com in that browser, your background will be there. If you sign into your Google account on another device, the same background will appear there too.

Adding website shortcuts to your homepage

Shortcuts appear as small tiles below the search bar. To add one, click the plus icon that appears when you hover over the shortcut area, or look for the plus icon in the bottom left of the customization panel.

Type the website address (for example, youtube.com or gmail.com) and give it a name if you want. Google will pull the website's icon automatically. Click "Done" and the shortcut appears on your homepage. You can add up to ten shortcuts. To remove one, right-click the tile and select "Remove".

Turning dark mode on and off

Open the customization panel by clicking the pencil icon. Look for the "Dark theme" toggle. Click it to turn dark mode on — the background will darken and the text will turn light. Click it again to return to light mode.

Dark mode affects only the Google homepage itself, not the search results page. If you want dark mode across all of Google's services, you can change that in your Google Account settings instead, but the homepage customization is separate.

Adjusting the logo and search bar position

In the customization panel, you will see options for "Logo" and "Search bar". The logo toggle controls whether the Google wordmark appears on your homepage. The search bar toggle lets you hide or show the search box itself.

You can also choose whether the logo appears centered or in a different position. These options appear under "Layout" or "Display" depending on your browser version. Make your choice and it saves right away.

Removing all customizations and resetting to default

If you want to undo all your changes and return to Google's standard homepage, open the customization panel and look for a "Reset" button. Click it and all backgrounds, shortcuts, and theme changes will disappear. Your homepage will return to the plain white background with the centered Google logo and search bar.

Resetting does not affect your Google account or any of your search history. It only changes what your homepage looks like.

Why your customizations might not appear on other devices

Customizations you make on one computer stay on that computer and browser only. If you use Google Chrome on your laptop and Firefox on your desktop, each browser will have its own separate customization. If you sign into the same Google account on both, Chrome will sync your changes across Chrome browsers, but Firefox will not.

Mobile phones and tablets have their own customization options in the Google app or mobile browser, separate from your desktop settings. To customize Google on your phone, open the Google app, tap your profile picture, go to "Settings", and look for "Homepage" or "Appearance" options.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a video as my background instead of a still image?

No. Google's homepage customization supports still images only — either photos you upload or images from Google's Collections. You cannot set a video as your background.

Will my customizations appear when I search from the address bar?

No. When you search from your browser's address bar or search box, you go directly to the search results page. Your customized homepage only appears when you visit Google.com directly or open a new tab that is set to show your homepage.

Can I customize Google's homepage on my phone?

Yes, but the options are different from desktop. Open the Google app on your phone, tap your profile picture, select "Settings", then look for "Homepage" or "Appearance". You can usually change the background and add shortcuts, though the interface is simpler than the desktop version.

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

If you clear your browser's cache and cookies, your customizations may disappear. If you are signed into your Google account, they will come back when you reload the page. If you are not signed in, you will need to set them up again.

Can I share my customized homepage with someone else?

No. Your customizations are stored locally on your device and in your Google account. You cannot export them or send them to another person. They can create their own customized homepage by following the same steps.