Where to find the search engine setting in your browser
The setting to change your default search engine lives in your browser's settings menu, not on the search bar itself. The exact location depends on which browser you use, but the process takes less than a minute once you find it. You do not need to install anything or restart your browser.
Your default search engine is what runs when you type a question directly into the address bar, or when you click the search box on a new tab. Changing it does not affect searches you run from Google's website directly — it only changes what happens when you use your browser's built-in search feature.
Key Takeaways
- Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge all let you change your default search engine through their settings menu in under one minute.
- Your default search engine only affects searches typed into the address bar or the search box on a new tab, not searches on Google's website itself.
- Common alternatives to Google include Bing, DuckDuckGo, Yahoo, and Ecosia, each with different privacy or feature focuses.
- If your default search engine keeps changing back, a browser extension or unwanted software may be overriding your choice.
How to change your search engine in Chrome
Open Chrome and click the three-line menu icon in the top right corner. Select Settings, then click Search engine in the left sidebar. You will see a list of search engines Chrome has detected. Click the one you want to use as your default, and it becomes active immediately.
If your preferred search engine does not appear in the list, scroll down to Other search engines and click Add. Type the search engine's name, the keyboard shortcut you want to use for it (optional), and the search URL. Most search engines display their search URL format on their settings page. Once you add it, you can set it as your default the same way.
How to change your search engine in Firefox
Open Firefox and click the three-line menu icon in the top right. Select Settings, then click Search in the left sidebar. Under Default Search Engine, click the dropdown menu and select the search engine you want. Firefox comes with Google, Bing, DuckDuckGo, Wikipedia, and Amazon built in.
To add a search engine that is not in the list, scroll down to One-Click Search Engines. Visit the website of the search engine you want to add, right-click the search box, and select Add a Keyword for this Search. Firefox will remember it and let you set it as your default.
How to change your search engine in Safari
Open Safari and click Safari in the top menu bar, then select Settings. Click the Search tab. Under Search engine, click the dropdown menu and choose from Google, Yahoo, Bing, or DuckDuckGo. Your choice takes effect immediately.
Safari has fewer built-in options than Chrome or Firefox and does not let you add custom search engines through the settings menu. If you want to use a search engine not in the list, you can create a bookmark that searches that site, though it will not work the same way as a default search engine.
How to change your search engine in Edge
Open Edge and click the three-dot menu icon in the top right. Select Settings, then click Privacy, search, and services in the left sidebar. Scroll down to Search engine and click the dropdown menu under Address bar search engine. Select the search engine you want to use.
Edge includes Google, Bing, Yahoo, and DuckDuckGo by default. To add a custom search engine, scroll down to Address bar search engine and click Manage search engines. Click Add, fill in the search engine's name and search URL, and click Add as default to make it your primary choice.
What to do if your default search engine keeps changing
If you set a new default search engine but it keeps reverting to the old one, a browser extension or unwanted software is likely overriding your choice. Open your browser's extension or add-on menu and disable or remove any extensions you do not recognize or did not intentionally install. Restart your browser and check whether the problem stops.
If extensions are not the cause, run a malware scan using Windows Defender (on Windows) or Malwarebytes (on any system). Some unwanted software installs itself at the system level and can override browser settings across all browsers. After removing it, restart your computer and set your default search engine again.
Popular search engine alternatives and what they offer
Google is the default in most browsers and returns the broadest range of results. Bing, Microsoft's search engine, offers similar results and rewards searches with points you can redeem for gift cards. DuckDuckGo does not track your searches or store your search history, which appeals to people concerned about privacy. Yahoo uses Bing's search results but adds its own news and finance sections.
Ecosia uses Bing's results and donates most of its advertising revenue to tree-planting projects. Startpage searches Google's index without tracking you or storing your data. Each search engine has different strengths — Google and Bing return the most results, DuckDuckGo and Startpage prioritize privacy, and Ecosia directs revenue to environmental causes. Your choice depends on which features matter most to you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does changing my default search engine affect searches I do on Google's website?
No. Your default search engine only controls what happens when you type into your browser's address bar or search box. If you visit Google.com directly and search there, Google will run that search regardless of your default setting.
Can I use a different search engine for different types of searches?
Most browsers let you set one default search engine. However, you can add multiple search engines and switch between them by clicking the search engine icon in the address bar before you search. Some browsers also let you assign keyboard shortcuts to different search engines so you can choose which one to use each time.
Will changing my search engine slow down my browser?
No. Switching search engines does not affect your browser's speed. The search engine you use is determined by where your search goes after you type it, not by anything running in the background on your computer.
What if I want to change back to my original search engine?
Go back to your browser's search settings and select your original search engine from the dropdown menu. The change takes effect immediately. You can switch between search engines as many times as you want.
Do I need to clear my browser history or cache to change my search engine?
No. Changing your default search engine does not require clearing your history, cache, or any other browser data. The setting is separate from your browsing history and takes effect as soon as you select it.