Google is already Chrome's default search engine in most cases

If you open a new tab in Chrome and type a search query into the address bar, Google handles that search automatically. You do not need to change any settings unless you have previously switched to a different search engine like Bing, Yahoo, or DuckDuckGo, or unless your browser was set up by someone else.

If Google is not your default, the steps to restore it take less than a minute. Chrome stores this setting in one place, and you can change it back whenever you want.

Key Takeaways

  • Google is Chrome's default search engine unless you or someone else changed it to Bing, Yahoo, DuckDuckGo, or another option.
  • You can check which search engine is currently set as default by opening Chrome settings and looking at the Search Engine section.
  • To change your default to Google, go to Settings > Search Engine, click the dropdown menu, and select Google from the list.
  • If Google does not appear in the dropdown list, you may need to add it manually by visiting google.com in Chrome first.

Check which search engine is currently set as default

Open Chrome and click the three vertical dots in the top right corner. Select Settings from the menu that appears.

On the left side of the Settings page, click Search engine. You will see a section labeled "Search engine used in the address bar" with a dropdown menu showing your current default. If it says Google, you are already set. If it shows Bing, Yahoo, DuckDuckGo, or another engine, that is what you need to change.

Switch your default search engine to Google

With the Search engine settings page open, click the dropdown menu next to "Search engine used in the address bar". A list of available search engines will appear, including Google, Bing, Yahoo, and any others you have used recently.

Click Google from the list. Chrome saves this change immediately — you do not need to click a Save button or restart the browser. The next time you search from the address bar, Google will handle the query.

Add Google manually if it does not appear in the list

In rare cases, Google may not show up in the dropdown menu. This usually happens if you have never searched with Google in Chrome, or if your browser was set up with very limited search options.

To add Google back, visit google.com in a new tab. Use the search box on the Google homepage to perform a search. Chrome will recognize Google as a search engine and add it to your available options. Return to Settings > Search engine, and Google should now appear in the dropdown menu.

Understand what "default search engine" controls

Your default search engine only affects searches you type into the address bar at the top of the browser. It does not change how Google Search itself works, and it does not affect searches you perform by visiting google.com directly in a tab.

If you use the Google Search box on the Google homepage, that always uses Google regardless of your default setting. The default setting matters only when you type a query into Chrome's address bar — the browser needs to know which search engine to send that query to.

Prevent others from changing your default search engine

If you share your computer with other people, they can change your default search engine through the same Settings menu. Chrome does not require a password to access search engine settings.

If you want to prevent changes, you can set up a separate user account in Chrome for each person who uses the computer. Each account has its own settings, bookmarks, and search engine preferences. To create a new account, click your profile icon in the top right corner of Chrome, select Add another person, and follow the prompts. Each person can then set their own default search engine without affecting the others.

Restore Google if a program changed your default without permission

Some software installations or browser extensions can change your default search engine without asking. If you notice your default has switched to an unfamiliar search engine that you did not choose, follow the steps above to switch back to Google.

To prevent this from happening again, review your installed extensions by clicking the puzzle piece icon in the top right corner of Chrome, then clicking the three dots next to any extension you do not recognize and selecting Remove from Chrome. Be cautious when installing new software — read the installation screens carefully and uncheck any boxes that offer to change your browser settings.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

No. Your default search engine setting is separate from all other Chrome data. Changing it will not affect passwords, bookmarks, browsing history, or any other information stored in your account.

What if I want to use different search engines for different searches?

You can keep Google as your default but still use other search engines whenever you want. Simply visit bing.com, duckduckgo.com, or another search engine directly in a tab and search there. Your default only controls what happens when you search from the address bar.

Does changing my default search engine in Chrome affect Google on my phone?

No. Chrome on your phone has its own separate settings. If you want Google as your default on mobile, you need to change it through your phone's Chrome settings using the same steps — tap the three dots, go to Settings, then Search engine.

Can I set Google as default on Chrome but use a different search engine on other browsers?

Yes. Each browser — Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge — has its own default search engine setting. Changing Chrome's default does not affect Firefox, Safari, or any other browser you use.