Firefox lets you change your default search engine in Settings in under a minute
When you search from Firefox's address bar, it uses a default search engine — usually Google. You can switch to a different one by opening Firefox Settings, finding the Search section, and picking a new engine from the list. Firefox comes with several built-in options including Google, Bing, DuckDuckGo, and Wikipedia. You can also add search engines from websites you visit regularly.
The change takes effect immediately and applies to all searches you run from the address bar. Searches from the search box (the separate field to the right of the address bar) can use a different engine if you want, though most people set them both the same way.
Key Takeaways
- Open Firefox Settings, select Search from the left menu, and choose a new default search engine from the dropdown under "Default Search Engine."
- Firefox includes Google, Bing, DuckDuckGo, and Wikipedia as built-in options, and you can add more from any website that offers search functionality.
- You can set a different search engine for the search box (the separate field next to the address bar) if you want to use multiple engines.
- Changing your search engine does not affect your browsing history, bookmarks, or any other Firefox data.
How to change your default search engine step by step
Open Firefox and click the menu button (three horizontal lines) in the top right corner. Select Settings from the dropdown menu.
On the left side of the Settings page, click Search. Under the "Default Search Engine" section at the top, you will see a dropdown menu showing your current search engine. Click the dropdown to see all available options.
Select the search engine you want to use. The change applies immediately — your next search from the address bar will use the new engine. If you want to undo this change, return to the same dropdown and select your previous engine.
Built-in search engines Firefox offers
Firefox includes several search engines you can switch to without adding anything new. Google is the default and returns broad web results. Bing is Microsoft's search engine and works similarly to Google. DuckDuckGo focuses on privacy and does not track your searches or build a profile of your activity. Wikipedia searches only Wikipedia's encyclopedia and is useful if you want quick definitions or background information.
The exact list of built-in engines can vary slightly depending on your Firefox version and region. If you do not see an engine you want, you can add it from the website itself — most search sites offer this option.
Adding a custom search engine from any website
You can add a search engine from almost any website that has a search box. Visit the website, right-click on its search box, and select Add a Keyword for this Search (or similar wording depending on the site). Firefox will prompt you to name the search engine and assign it a keyword — a short abbreviation you can type in the address bar to search that site directly.
For example, if you add Amazon's search this way and give it the keyword "a", you can type "a laptop" in the address bar and Firefox will search Amazon instead of your default engine. The custom engine appears in your search engine list but is not set as the default unless you change it in Settings.
Setting a different search engine for the search box
Firefox has two search fields: the address bar (where you type web addresses) and the search box (a separate field to the right of it). By default, both use the same search engine. You can set them differently if you prefer.
In Settings under Search, scroll down to find Search Shortcuts. This section shows all your available search engines with a button next to each one. Click the button next to any engine to set it as the search box default. Your address bar will continue using the engine you selected at the top of the page.
What happens to your data when you change search engines
Changing your search engine does not delete or affect your browsing history, bookmarks, passwords, or any other Firefox data. Your search history remains in Firefox's history log regardless of which engine you use. If you want to clear your search history, you can do that separately through Firefox's History menu.
Some search engines (like DuckDuckGo) do not store your searches on their servers, but Firefox itself may still record that you performed a search. To prevent Firefox from logging searches, you can use Private Browsing mode, which does not save history, cookies, or search records.
Removing a search engine you no longer want
Built-in search engines like Google and Bing cannot be removed from the dropdown list, but custom engines you added can be deleted. In Settings under Search, find the engine you want to remove and click the X button next to it. The engine disappears from your list immediately.
If you remove an engine by mistake, you can add it back by visiting the website again and using the right-click method described earlier. Removing a search engine does not affect your browsing history or any searches you performed with it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a different search engine in Private Browsing mode?
Yes. Private Browsing uses whatever default search engine you set in Settings. If you want to use a different engine only in Private Browsing, you would need to switch your default before opening a Private window, then switch it back afterward — Firefox does not offer a separate setting for Private mode.
Why is my search engine changing back to Google?
Some websites or extensions can reset your default search engine without asking. Check your installed extensions in Settings under Extensions & Themes and remove any you do not recognize. If the problem persists, your Firefox installation may need updating — check for updates in Settings under About Firefox.
Can I search multiple sites at once with different engines?
No, but you can open multiple tabs and use a different search engine in each one. Set your default to one engine, then in a second tab, change your default temporarily, search, and change it back. Using custom keywords (the method described earlier) is faster — type "a laptop" to search Amazon, then "g laptop" to search Google without changing your settings.
Does changing my search engine affect Google's ability to track me?
Switching to a different search engine stops that engine from logging your searches, but Google can still track you through other means if you use Google services like Gmail or YouTube. To reduce tracking across the web, use Firefox's Enhanced Tracking Protection (enabled by default) and consider using a privacy-focused search engine like DuckDuckGo.