Set a different search engine as your default in Chrome in three steps

When you type in Chrome's address bar without a web address, the browser searches using whatever engine you have set as default. By default, that's Google — but you can change it to Bing, DuckDuckGo, Yahoo, or several others in about a minute. The setting lives in Chrome's search engine menu, and you only need to do it once.

Chrome remembers your choice across all your devices if you're signed into your Google account. If you use Chrome on a work computer where you don't sign in, you'll need to set the default separately on that machine.

Key Takeaways

  • Open Chrome settings, go to Search Engine, and pick a new default from the dropdown menu — the whole process takes about one minute.
  • Chrome offers Bing, DuckDuckGo, Yahoo, and Ecosia as built-in options, plus the ability to add custom search engines.
  • Your choice syncs across devices if you're signed into Chrome, but work computers or shared devices need the setting changed separately.
  • Changing your default search engine does not affect Google's other services like Gmail or Google Drive.

Open Chrome settings and find the search engine menu

Start by opening Google Chrome. In the top right corner, click the three vertical dots (called the menu button). A dropdown list appears. Click Settings near the bottom of that list.

On the left side of the settings page, you'll see a menu. Click Search engine. This opens the search engine settings where you control what happens when you search from the address bar.

Choose your new default search engine

Under the heading "Search engine used in the address bar," you'll see a dropdown menu. Click it to see all available options. Chrome includes Bing, DuckDuckGo, Yahoo, Google, and Ecosia as standard choices. Select whichever one you want to use.

Once you click your choice, it becomes your default immediately. You don't need to click a save button — Chrome saves the change as soon as you select it. You can test it right away by clicking the address bar and typing a search term.

Add a custom search engine if your preference isn't listed

If you want to use a search engine that doesn't appear in the dropdown, you can add it manually. On the same search engine settings page, scroll down to the section labeled "Other search engines." Click the Add button.

A small form appears asking for three things: the search engine name (like "Startpage"), a shortcut (a short code you can type in the address bar), and the URL with a placeholder. For most search engines, you can find the correct URL by searching their help section for "add to browser" or "search engine integration." Once you fill in all three fields, click Add, then set it as your default using the dropdown at the top.

What happens when you change your default search engine

When you type in the address bar without a full web address, Chrome now searches using your new engine instead of Google. For example, if you set DuckDuckGo as default and type "weather" in the address bar, you'll see DuckDuckGo results instead of Google results.

This change only affects searches from the address bar. It does not change the search engine on Google's homepage, Gmail, Google Drive, or any other Google service. Those services continue to use Google search regardless of your Chrome setting. Bookmarks, browsing history, and saved passwords are not affected either.

Sync your choice across devices

If you're signed into Chrome with a Google account, your default search engine choice syncs to all devices where you use that account. When you change the default on your laptop, it automatically updates on your phone or tablet the next time you open Chrome.

If you use Chrome on a work computer where you don't sign in, or on a shared family device, you'll need to change the default separately on that machine. Each device stores its own search engine preference if you're not synced.

Change it back to Google anytime

If you decide you want to go back to Google, the process is identical: open Settings, click Search engine, and select Google from the dropdown. There's no penalty for switching back and forth, and Chrome doesn't require you to confirm the change.

Some websites or programs may try to change your default search engine without asking. If you notice your search engine has changed on its own, return to this same settings page and switch it back to what you want.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing my default search engine affect my Google account or Gmail?

No. Your Gmail, Google Drive, Google Photos, and other Google services continue to work exactly as before. Only searches typed in Chrome's address bar use your new default engine. Google services have their own search built in and ignore your Chrome setting.

Can I use different search engines on different devices?

Yes. If you're signed into Chrome, you can change the default on one device, then go to another device and change it to something different. Each device can have its own preference. If you're not signed in, each device already has its own separate setting.

What if a website keeps changing my search engine back to something else?

Some websites or browser extensions try to hijack your search engine. Go back to Chrome Settings, Search engine, and set your preference again. If it keeps changing, check your installed extensions by clicking the menu button, then More tools, then Extensions. Remove any you don't recognize or trust.

Does my search history change if I switch search engines?

No. Your Chrome browsing history stays the same. However, your search history with the new search engine is separate — DuckDuckGo won't see your old Google searches, and Google won't see your new DuckDuckGo searches.