Chrome uses Google as the default search engine, but you can change it to Bing, DuckDuckGo, Yahoo, or another search engine in about 30 seconds

When you type a search directly into Chrome's address bar (called the omnibox), the browser sends that search to your default search engine. By default, that engine is Google. If you want Chrome to use a different search engine — whether for privacy reasons, because you prefer another engine's results, or because your workplace requires it — you can change this setting yourself without installing anything or restarting your browser.

The process is the same whether you're on Windows, Mac, or Linux. You'll go into Chrome's settings, find the search engine section, and pick a new default from the list of engines Chrome already knows about. If your preferred engine isn't listed, you can add it manually.

Key Takeaways

  • Open Chrome settings, click "Search engine" on the left, then select a different engine from the "Search engine used in the address bar" dropdown.
  • Chrome comes with Google, Bing, DuckDuckGo, and Yahoo already available; you don't need to download or install anything to switch between them.
  • If your preferred search engine isn't in the list, you can add it by clicking "Manage search engines and site search" and entering its search URL.
  • Changing your default search engine in Chrome does not affect which search engine you use when you click a search result or visit a search website directly.

How to change your default search engine in three steps

Open Chrome and click the three vertical dots in the top right corner. From the menu that appears, select "Settings."

On the left side of the settings page, click "Search engine." You'll see a section labeled "Search engine used in the address bar" with a dropdown menu showing your current default (usually Google).

Click the dropdown and select the search engine you want to use instead. Chrome will switch to that engine immediately. You don't need to restart the browser or confirm the change — it takes effect right away.

Which search engines Chrome offers by default

Chrome comes with four search engines already set up: Google, Bing, DuckDuckGo, and Yahoo. Each one handles searches from your address bar the same way, but they differ in how they collect and use your search data.

Google is the default because Google owns Chrome, but switching to Bing, DuckDuckGo, or Yahoo requires no extra steps. If you use one of these engines regularly and want Chrome to use it when you search from the address bar, the dropdown is the fastest way to make that happen.

Adding a search engine that isn't in Chrome's list

If your preferred search engine doesn't appear in the dropdown, you can add it manually. Go to Settings > Search engine, then click "Manage search engines and site search."

Scroll to the bottom of the page to the section labeled "Other search engines." Click "Add" and fill in three fields: the name of the search engine (for example, "Ecosia"), a short keyword you'll use to trigger it (for example, "e"), and the search URL.

The search URL is the tricky part. Visit the search engine's website, perform a test search, and look at the URL in your address bar. Find the part that contains your search term and replace it with %s. For example, if Ecosia's search URL is ecosia.org/search?q=trees, you would enter ecosia.org/search?q=%s. Once you've entered this, click "Add," and the engine will appear in your dropdown list.

The difference between your default search engine and other search choices

Your default search engine only controls what happens when you type directly into the address bar. It does not change where you search when you click a search result link, visit a search website directly, or use a search box on another website.

For example, if you change your default to DuckDuckGo but then click a "Search Google" link on a website, you'll still search Google. The default setting only applies to searches you initiate from Chrome's address bar.

Why you might want to change your default search engine

Some people switch because they prefer a search engine's results or interface. Others change because they want a search engine that collects less data — DuckDuckGo and Ecosia, for example, don't track your searches the way Google does.

Some workplaces or schools set a different default search engine as part of their security policy. If you're on a work computer, your IT department may have already changed this setting for you, and you may not be able to change it back without permission.

What happens to your search history when you switch

Changing your default search engine does not delete your search history in Chrome. Your history with Google (or whatever engine you used before) remains in your Chrome account and on your devices.

If you want to clear your search history, go to Settings > Privacy and security > Clear browsing data, select "All time," check "Cookies and other site data" and "Cached images and files," and click "Clear data." This removes data from all search engines you've used, not just your previous default.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a different search engine on my phone version of Chrome?

Yes. On Android, open Chrome, tap the three dots at the bottom right, go to Settings > Search engine, and select a different engine. On iPhone, tap the three dots at the bottom, go to Settings > Search engine, and choose from the list. The process is the same as on a computer.

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

No. Your passwords, bookmarks, and all other Chrome data remain unchanged. Only searches from your address bar will use the new engine.

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

Chrome's default setting applies to all address bar searches. If you want to use Google for some searches and DuckDuckGo for others, you can visit each search engine's website directly and search there, or you can use the keyword feature: assign a short keyword (like "g" for Google or "d" for DuckDuckGo) to each engine in the "Manage search engines" section, then type that keyword in your address bar before searching.

Can my internet provider or network administrator see which search engine I'm using?

They can see that you're making search requests, but they cannot easily tell which search engine you're using just from network traffic. However, if you're on a work or school network, your IT department may have tools that monitor or restrict which search engines are available.