Google is already the default search engine in Chrome for most users

When you open a new tab in Google Chrome and click the address bar, Chrome searches using Google by default. You do not need to change any settings unless Chrome is currently set to search with Bing, Yahoo, DuckDuckGo, or another engine instead.

If you want to confirm Google is your default, or if Chrome is using a different search engine and you want to switch back to Google, the process takes about one minute and requires only a few clicks in Chrome's settings.

Key Takeaways

  • Google is the default search engine in Chrome unless your computer came with different settings or you changed it yourself.
  • You can check and change your default search engine by opening Chrome Settings, selecting Search Engine, and choosing Google from the list.
  • If Google does not appear in the list, you can add it by typing a search into the address bar, then setting that search engine as default.
  • Changing your default search engine in Chrome does not affect Google searches you do on Google.com directly.

Check which search engine Chrome is currently using

Open Google Chrome and look at the address bar at the top of the window. Click inside the address bar without typing anything. You will see a small icon on the left side of the address bar — this icon shows which search engine Chrome is set to use. A colorful "G" means Google is your default. A blue and yellow icon means Bing. A red circle means Yahoo.

If you see the Google icon, your default is already set correctly and you do not need to make any changes. If you see a different icon, follow the steps below to switch to Google.

Open Chrome Settings and find the search engine menu

Click the three vertical dots in the top right corner of Chrome. 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.

Change your default search engine to Google

Look through the list for Google. When you find it, click the three dots on the right side of the Google row. A small menu will appear with the option Make default. Click that option.

Chrome will immediately update your default search engine to Google. You do not need to restart Chrome or your computer. The next time you click the address bar and search for something, Chrome will use Google.

Add Google if it is not in the search engine list

In rare cases, Google may not appear in your search engine list. This can happen if Chrome was set up with very specific settings by your workplace or school. To add Google back, click the address bar and type any search term — for example, type "weather" and press Enter.

Chrome will search using your current default engine. When the results page loads, look at the address bar. Right-click on the address bar and select Search Google for [your search term]. Chrome will now add Google to your search engine list. Go back to Settings > Search engine and make Google your default using the steps above.

Understand the difference between default search and Google.com

Your default search engine only affects what happens when you search from the address bar or a new tab. If you go directly to Google.com in your browser, you will always search with Google no matter what your default is set to.

Similarly, if you use Google's mobile app or search from Google's homepage, those searches use Google regardless of your Chrome settings. Changing your default search engine in Chrome only changes what happens when you use the address bar as a search box.

What to do if your default keeps changing back

Some websites and browser extensions can change your default search engine without asking. If you set Google as default but it keeps switching back to something else, a browser extension is likely the cause.

Open Chrome Settings, click Extensions on the left side, and look through the list. Remove any extension you do not recognize or do not use regularly. Then go back to Search engine and set Google as default again. If the problem stops, one of those extensions was changing your settings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does changing my default search engine affect my Google account or search history?

No. Your default search engine setting is separate from your Google account. Your search history in Google is stored based on your account login, not on which engine is set as default in Chrome. Changing the default does not delete or change any of your saved searches.

Can I use different search engines for different types of searches?

Chrome does not have a built-in way to use different default engines for different searches. You can only set one default for the address bar. If you want to search with a different engine, you can go directly to that engine's website or open a new tab and type the engine's name.

What if I want to search with Google but Chrome says it is not available?

This is very rare but can happen if your network blocks Google. Try searching from Google.com directly by typing the full web address. If that does not work, your network administrator has blocked Google. Contact them to request access, or use a different network.

Will setting Google as default make Chrome faster?

No. Your default search engine does not affect how fast Chrome runs. Speed depends on your internet connection, how many tabs you have open, and what websites you visit — not on which search engine you use.