How to change your default search engine

Your default search engine is the one that runs when you type a question into the address bar or use your browser's search box. Changing it takes two to five minutes and works the same way on most browsers — you go into settings, find the search section, and pick a different engine from a list. The change applies only to that browser on that device, so if you use Chrome on your phone and Firefox on your laptop, you'll need to change the default in each one separately.

The most common search engines available as defaults are Google, Bing, DuckDuckGo, Yahoo, and Ecosia. Some browsers also let you add a search engine that isn't on the preset list, though this requires knowing the search URL format for that engine.

Key Takeaways

  • Changing your default search engine happens in your browser settings, not on your computer's main settings, and only affects that specific browser.
  • Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge all have a search settings section where you pick from a list of preset engines or add a custom one.
  • If you switch browsers or devices, you'll need to change the default search engine in each one separately.
  • Some search engines like DuckDuckGo and Ecosia have different privacy policies or environmental missions than Google or Bing.

Changing the default in Chrome

Open Chrome and click the three vertical dots in the top right corner. Select Settings from the menu. On the left sidebar, click Search engine. You'll see a section labeled "Search engine used in the address bar" with a dropdown menu showing your current default.

Click the dropdown to see all available options: Google, Bing, Yahoo, DuckDuckGo, and Ecosia. Select whichever one you want. The change takes effect immediately — the next time you search from the address bar, it will use your new default. If you want to add a search engine that isn't on this list, scroll down to "Other search engines" and click Add, then enter the engine's name and search URL.

Changing the default in Firefox

Open Firefox and click the three horizontal lines (hamburger menu) in the top right. Select Settings. On the left sidebar, click Search. Under "Default Search Engine," you'll see a dropdown showing your current choice.

Click the dropdown to pick from Google, Bing, DuckDuckGo, Yahoo, or Ecosia. Firefox also shows a section called "One-Click Search Engines" below, which lists additional engines you can use by clicking them, though they won't become your default. To add a custom search engine as your default, you'll need to visit that engine's website, right-click its search box, and select "Add a Keyword for this Search" — this is more involved than Chrome's method.

Changing the default in Safari

Open Safari and click Safari in the top menu bar. Select Settings (or Preferences on older Macs). Click the Search tab. You'll see a dropdown labeled "Search engine" showing your current default.

Click the dropdown to choose from Google, Yahoo, Bing, or DuckDuckGo. Safari has fewer preset options than Chrome or Firefox, and does not have a straightforward way to add a custom search engine as the default. The change applies immediately to all searches you perform in Safari's address bar.

Changing the default in Microsoft Edge

Open Edge and click the three dots in the top right corner. Select Settings. On the left sidebar, click Privacy, search, and services. Scroll down to the "Search engine" section. You'll see your current default with a dropdown menu next to it.

Click the dropdown to select from Google, Bing, Yahoo, DuckDuckGo, or Ecosia. Edge also shows a section below called "Search engine used in the address bar on other browsers," which you can ignore — this is just showing what other browsers use. Your new default takes effect right away.

What happens when you change your default

When you change your default search engine, only that browser is affected. If you use Chrome on your computer and Firefox on your phone, changing the default in Chrome won't change it in Firefox. You'll need to repeat the process in each browser and on each device where you want a different default.

Your old search history and bookmarks stay the same — changing the default doesn't erase anything. If you ever want to switch back, you can return to settings and pick a different engine at any time. Some people keep their default as Google but add other engines to their browser so they can choose which one to use for a specific search, rather than changing the default itself.

Why you might want to change your default

Google is the default on most browsers because it's the largest search engine and returns results quickly. But some people switch for privacy reasons — DuckDuckGo and Ecosia don't track your search history the way Google does. Others choose Bing because they prefer its layout, or Yahoo because they use Yahoo Mail and want everything in one place.

Ecosia is unique because it plants a tree for every search you perform (though the number of searches needed per tree is high — roughly 45 searches plants one tree). If you're trying a new search engine, you can always change back to your old default if you don't like it. There's no penalty for switching, and you can experiment to find what works best for you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing my default search engine affect my search history?

No. Your search history stays in your browser regardless of which search engine you use as the default. If you switch from Google to Bing, your old Google searches will still be there. Changing the default only changes which engine runs new searches from your address bar.

Can I use different search engines for different searches without changing my default?

Yes. Most browsers let you add multiple search engines and switch between them. In Chrome and Firefox, you can right-click the address bar and select which engine to use for that specific search. You can also visit a search engine's website directly and search there, bypassing your default entirely.

If I change my default on my phone, will it change on my computer?

No. Each device and each browser is separate. If you use Chrome on both your phone and computer, you'd need to change the default in Chrome on your phone and then again in Chrome on your computer. Signing into the same Google account doesn't sync your search engine preference across devices.

What if my preferred search engine isn't on the preset list?

Chrome and Edge let you add custom search engines through their settings. Firefox requires you to visit the search engine's website and add it from there. Safari has the fewest options for custom engines. If your preferred engine isn't available as a default in your browser, you can still visit its website directly and search there.

Can I have different defaults in different profiles on the same browser?

Yes, if your browser supports profiles. Chrome and Firefox both allow multiple profiles, and each profile can have its own default search engine. This is useful if you want one default for work and a different one for personal browsing.