Change your default search engine in Chrome settings

Chrome starts with Google as your default search engine, but you can switch to Bing, DuckDuckGo, Yahoo, or another search engine in about 30 seconds. The setting lives in Chrome's search engine menu, and you can change it back anytime.

The steps are the same whether you use Chrome on Windows, Mac, or Linux. If you use Chrome on your phone, the process is slightly different — scroll down to the phone section below.

Key Takeaways

  • Open Chrome settings, go to Search engine, and pick a new default from the dropdown menu.
  • Chrome comes with Bing, DuckDuckGo, and Yahoo already built in, so you can switch without adding anything new.
  • If your search engine is not in the list, you can add it manually by typing the search URL into the "Other search engines" section.
  • Changing your default search engine does not affect your bookmarks, passwords, or browsing history.
  • If a website or extension has changed your default search engine without permission, you can change it back using these same steps.

Steps to change your default search engine on desktop Chrome

Step 1: Open Chrome settings. Click the three vertical dots in the top right corner of Chrome, then click Settings.

Step 2: Go to the Search engine menu. On the left side, click Search engine. You will see a dropdown that says "Google" (or whatever your current default is).

Step 3: Click the dropdown and pick a new search engine. Chrome shows you Bing, DuckDuckGo, Yahoo, and a few others. Click the one you want.

Step 4: Close settings. The change takes effect immediately. The next time you search from the address bar, Chrome will use your new default.

What to do if your search engine is not in the list

If you want to use a search engine that Chrome does not show in the dropdown — Ecosia, Startpage, or another one — you can add it manually. Go back to Settings > Search engine and scroll down to "Other search engines."

Click Add, then fill in three fields: the search engine name (for example, "Ecosia"), a short keyword you can type in the address bar (for example, "e"), and the search URL. The search URL is the tricky part. Go to the search engine's website, search for any word, and copy the URL from the address bar. Replace that word with %s in the URL and paste it into Chrome.

For example, if you search for "test" on Ecosia and the URL is ecosia.org/search?q=test, you would paste ecosia.org/search?q=%s into Chrome. Click Save, and you are done.

How to change your default search engine on Chrome for Android or iPhone

The steps are different on mobile because Chrome's settings menu is organized differently. Open Chrome, tap the three dots in the bottom right corner, then tap Settings.

Tap Search engine. You will see your current default at the top and a list of other options below. Tap the one you want to switch to. The change takes effect right away.

On iPhone, the process is the same, but the three-dot menu is in the bottom right if you are using an older iPhone or the top right on newer models.

Why your default search engine may have changed on its own

If you did not change your search engine but it switched anyway, a browser extension or a website you visited may have done it without asking. This happens most often after you install a new extension or visit a site that offers to "improve your search experience."

To fix it, go back to Settings > Search engine and pick the one you want. Then check your extensions: click the three dots, go to More tools > Extensions, and look for anything unfamiliar. If you see an extension you do not recognize or do not want, click Remove.

If a search engine keeps changing back after you switch it, an extension is probably resetting it. Find and remove that extension, and the problem should stop.

The difference between your default search engine and your search bar

Your default search engine controls what happens when you type in Chrome's address bar (the box at the very top where you type website names or search terms). It does not control what search engine appears on your home page or new tab page.

If you want to change what search engine shows up on your new tab page, you will need to change your home page or new tab page settings separately. Go to Settings > Appearance and scroll down to "New tab page" to pick a different look or search engine for that specific page.

What happens to your data when you switch search engines

Changing your default search engine does not delete or move any of your information. Your bookmarks, saved passwords, browsing history, and autofill data all stay exactly where they are. Only your search queries will go to the new search engine instead of the old one.

If you are switching to a search engine because you care about privacy, keep in mind that your search history is still stored in Chrome's sync account if you are signed into Chrome. You can turn off search history in Settings > Privacy and security > Clear browsing data, or you can sign out of Chrome entirely if you want to stop syncing your data.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a different search engine for different searches?

Not with Chrome's built-in settings. You can only set one default. However, you can right-click in the address bar and pick "Search with [different engine]" for a single search, or you can visit the search engine's website directly and search there instead of using the address bar.

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

No. Your default search engine only controls what happens when you search from Chrome's address bar. Gmail, Google Drive, and your Google account are separate and will work the same way no matter which search engine you pick.

What if I want to go back to Google?

Go to Settings > Search engine and click Google from the dropdown. You can switch back and forth as many times as you want. There is no penalty or waiting period.

Does my ISP or internet provider control my search engine?

No. Your internet provider cannot force Chrome to use a specific search engine. If your search engine keeps changing and you did not do it, check your extensions and remove anything unfamiliar. If the problem continues, your computer may have unwanted software — run a malware scan using Windows Defender or a similar tool.

Can I set different default search engines in different Chrome profiles?

Yes. If you have multiple Chrome profiles (for work, personal use, etc.), each profile has its own search engine setting. Go to Settings > Search engine while logged into each profile and set the default separately.