What "default search engine" means and why it matters
Your default search engine is the search tool that runs when you type a question directly into your browser's address bar — the box at the top where you normally type website names. Right now, your browser is set to use one search engine by default. When you switch to Google as your default search engine, every search you type into that address bar will go to Google instead of whatever engine you're using now.
This is different from changing your browser itself to Chrome. You can use Chrome as your browser and still have Bing, DuckDuckGo, or another search engine as your default. This guide covers how to make Google the search engine that runs when you search from Chrome's address bar. The steps take about two minutes and depend on which operating system (Windows, Mac, or Linux) you have.
Key Takeaways
- Your default search engine is the one that runs when you type a question into your browser's address bar, separate from which browser you use.
- In Chrome on Windows or Mac, open Settings, click Search engine, and select Google from the dropdown menu.
- If Google doesn't appear in your search engine list, you can add it manually by entering Google's search URL in the "Other search engines" section.
- Changing your default search engine affects which company receives your search queries and what data they collect about your searches.
- Your bookmarks, history, and saved passwords remain unchanged when you switch search engines.
Changing your default search engine in Chrome on Windows and Mac
Open Chrome and click the three vertical dots in the top right corner. Select Settings from the menu that appears. On the left side of the page, click Search engine.
You'll see a dropdown menu labeled "Search engine used in the address bar." Click it and select Google from the list. If Google is already highlighted, it's already your default — you're done. If you selected it just now, Chrome saves the change automatically. Close the Settings tab and your default search engine is now Google. The steps are identical on both Windows and Mac.
If you're using Firefox, Safari, or Microsoft Edge instead
If Chrome is not your browser, you'll need to change the default search engine in whichever browser you do use. The process is similar but the menu locations differ slightly across browsers.
In Firefox: Click the three horizontal lines in the top right, select Settings, then click Search on the left side. Under "Default Search Engine," click the dropdown and select Google.
In Safari on Mac: Click Safari in the top menu bar, select Settings, then click the Search tab. Click the dropdown next to "Search engine" and select Google.
In Microsoft Edge: Click the three dots in the top right, select Settings, then click Privacy, search, and services on the left. Scroll down to "Search engine," click the dropdown, and select Google.
What to do if Google doesn't appear in your search engine list
Sometimes Google is missing from the dropdown menu, usually because your browser was set up by an organization (a school or employer) that restricts search engine choices. In Chrome, you can add Google manually. Open Settings, click Search engine, then scroll down to "Other search engines." Click Add.
In the "Search engine" field, type Google. In the "Shortcut" field, type google. In the "URL with %s in place of query" field, paste this exact text: https://www.google.com/search?q=%s. Click Add. Google now appears in your dropdown menu and you can select it as your default. If you still cannot change it, your organization may have locked the setting — contact your IT department or tech support.
Understanding what changes when you switch search engines
When you change your default search engine, you're changing which company receives and stores your search queries. Google collects search history tied to your Google account if you're signed in. Other search engines like DuckDuckGo collect less data, while Bing collects data for Microsoft. Your choice affects which ads you see and what information that company builds about your interests.
Changing your default search engine does not change which websites you can visit or how your browser works otherwise. You can still visit Google.com directly even if another search engine is your default, and you can still use Google's other services like Gmail or YouTube. Your bookmarks, browsing history, and saved passwords stay exactly the same.
How your search engine choice affects your privacy
Different search engines handle your data differently. Google ties your searches to your account if you're signed in, building a profile of your interests over time. DuckDuckGo doesn't store search history or tie queries to your identity. Bing collects searches for Microsoft's advertising network. When you choose a search engine, you're choosing what data that company collects and how they use it.
You can see what Google knows about you by visiting myactivity.google.com while signed into your Google account. You can delete individual searches or turn off search history entirely in your Google account settings. If privacy is your main concern, switching to a search engine that doesn't track searches may matter more than which browser you use.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is changing my default search engine the same as changing my browser?
No. Your browser is the program you use to visit websites (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge). Your default search engine is what runs when you search from inside that browser. You can use Chrome as your browser and have Bing as your search engine, or vice versa.
Will changing my search engine affect my bookmarks or browsing history?
No. Your bookmarks, history, and saved passwords stay exactly the same. Only the search engine that runs from your address bar changes.
Can I use different search engines for different searches?
Yes. You can set one as your default for the address bar, but you can always visit Google.com, Bing.com, or any other search engine directly in a new tab and search there instead. Some people do this when they want to compare results or use a search engine's specialized features.
What if my workplace or school has locked my search engine settings?
If you see a message saying your settings are managed by your organization, you cannot change them yourself. Contact your IT department or school tech support to request a change. They may have security or filtering reasons for the restriction.
Does Google know what I search for even if it's not my default?
Only if you're signed into a Google account and you visit Google.com directly to search. If you use a different search engine as your default and never sign into Google, that company doesn't see your searches. If you're signed into Google for Gmail or other services, Google may still collect some data depending on your account settings.