How to change your default search engine to Google
Your browser comes with a default search engine — the one that runs when you type in the address bar — but you can change it to Google in a few clicks. The exact steps depend on which browser you use, but the setting lives in the same place on all of them: your browser's settings menu. Once you change it, every search you type in the address bar will go to Google instead of whatever came pre-installed.
This matters because different search engines track you differently, show you different results, and some are harder to navigate than others. Changing your default is free and takes less than a minute. You can always change it back later if you want to try something else.
Key Takeaways
- Your browser's default search engine is set in the Settings menu, and you can change it without installing anything new.
- Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge all let you pick Google as your default in roughly the same number of steps.
- Changing your default search engine does not affect which search engine you can still use — you can always type google.com directly.
- Your browser may try to reset your default search engine if you install certain extensions or software, so check your settings occasionally.
Changing your default search engine in Chrome
Open Chrome and click the three vertical dots in the top right corner. Select Settings from the menu that appears. On the left side, click Search engine.
You will see a list of search engines Chrome knows about, with your current default marked. Click on Google in that list. If Google is not there, click the Manage search engines button, find Google in the full list, and click the three dots next to it, then select Make default. Close the Settings tab and you are done.
Changing your default search engine in Firefox
Open Firefox and click the three horizontal lines (called a hamburger menu) in the top right corner. Select Settings. On the left side, click Search.
Under Default Search Engine, you will see a dropdown menu showing your current default. Click it and select Google. Firefox will switch immediately. Close the Settings tab and your searches will now go to Google.
Changing your default search engine in Safari
Open Safari and click Safari in the menu bar at the very top of your screen (not in the browser window). Select Settings or Preferences depending on your macOS version. Click the Search tab.
You will see a dropdown menu labeled Search engine. Click it and select Google. Close the Settings window and you are done. On iPhone or iPad, go to Settings (the system settings, not Safari settings), scroll down and tap Safari, then tap Search Engine and select Google.
Changing your default search engine in Edge
Open Edge and click the three horizontal dots in the top right corner. Select Settings. On the left side, click Privacy, search, and services.
Scroll down to the Search engine section. Click the dropdown under Search engine used in the address bar and select Google. Edge will switch immediately. Close the Settings tab and your searches will now use Google.
Why your default search engine might change back
Some software and browser extensions can reset your default search engine without asking. If you change it to Google and it switches back a few days later, an extension or program you installed is likely responsible.
To find out which one, go back to your search engine settings and look for any unfamiliar options in the list. If you see a search engine you do not recognize, click on it and look for a Manage or Remove button. You can also check your installed extensions — in Chrome, click the puzzle piece icon in the top right; in Firefox, click the three lines and select Add-ons. Remove anything you do not use or recognize, then set Google as your default again.
Using Google even if it is not your default
Changing your default search engine is convenient, but it is not the only way to use Google. You can always type google.com directly into your address bar and search from there, no matter what your default is. You can also bookmark Google or add it to your browser's home page so it is one click away.
Some people keep a different search engine as their default but use Google for specific searches. There is no rule that says you have to use the same search engine for everything. Experiment and see what works for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will changing my search engine affect my bookmarks or browsing history?
No. Changing your default search engine only changes where searches go when you type in the address bar. Your bookmarks, history, and saved passwords stay exactly the same.
Can I use different search engines for different searches?
Yes. You can set one as your default and still type google.com or any other search engine's address directly whenever you want. Some people also use browser extensions that let them pick a search engine from a menu, though this is optional.
What if Google does not appear in my search engine list?
Google is built into all major browsers, so it should always be there. If you cannot find it, try searching for "manage search engines" in your browser's settings. If it is still missing, restart your browser and check again. You can also type google.com directly in the address bar and search from there.
Does changing my search engine protect my privacy?
Different search engines have different privacy policies, so switching may change how your searches are tracked. Google collects search data and ties it to your account if you are signed in. If privacy is a concern, read the privacy policy of any search engine you are considering, or explore privacy-focused alternatives like DuckDuckGo.