Chrome lets you change your default search engine in Settings, and the process takes about one minute

When you type in Chrome's address bar without a web address, Chrome searches using your default search engine. By default, that is Google. You can change it to Bing, DuckDuckGo, Yahoo, Ecosia, or several others. The change applies every time you search from the address bar, but does not affect searches you run directly on a search engine's website.

The steps are the same whether you use Chrome on Windows, Mac, or Linux. You do not need to restart Chrome or clear any data.

Key Takeaways

  • Open Chrome Settings, go to Search Engine, and pick a new default from the dropdown menu.
  • Chrome offers Google, Bing, Yahoo, DuckDuckGo, and Ecosia as built-in options without installing anything.
  • You can also add a custom search engine if you want to use one Chrome does not list by default.
  • Changing your default search engine does not affect your browsing history, saved passwords, or any other Chrome data.

How to change your search engine in three steps

Open Chrome and click the three-line menu icon in the top right corner. Select Settings from the dropdown.

On the left side of the Settings page, click Search engine. You will see a dropdown menu that currently shows your default search engine — most likely Google.

Click the dropdown and select the search engine you want to use instead. Chrome will switch to your choice immediately. Close the Settings tab when you are done.

Built-in search engine options in Chrome

Chrome comes with five search engines you can choose without downloading or installing anything. Google is the default. Bing is Microsoft's search engine and works similarly to Google. Yahoo uses Bing's search results but adds its own layout and features. DuckDuckGo does not track your searches or store your search history. Ecosia uses Bing's results and donates a portion of its revenue to tree-planting projects.

The choice between them depends on what matters to you. If privacy is your main concern, DuckDuckGo is the built-in option that emphasizes not tracking users. If you want results similar to Google but from a different company, Bing or Yahoo will feel familiar. If you want to support environmental projects while searching, Ecosia is available without extra steps.

Adding a search engine Chrome does not list

If you want to use a search engine that is not in Chrome's dropdown — such as Startpage, Qwant, or a specialized search tool — you can add it manually. Go to Settings, click Search engine, and scroll down to Other search engines. Click Add.

You will need three pieces of information: the name of the search engine, a short keyword you can type in the address bar to use it, and the search URL. The search URL is the address the search engine uses when you search. For example, DuckDuckGo's search URL is https://duckduckgo.com/?q=%s — the %s is where Chrome puts your search term. Most search engines publish this information on their settings or help page. Once you fill in all three fields, click Add.

Using a different search engine for one search

You do not have to change your default to use a different search engine once in a while. Type your search term in the address bar, then press the down arrow key. Chrome will show you a list of all your search engines. Click the one you want to use for that single search.

Alternatively, you can set up a keyword for each search engine you added manually. In Settings under Other search engines, each engine has a keyword column. If you set DuckDuckGo's keyword to d, you can type d in the address bar, press space, then type your search. Chrome will search DuckDuckGo without changing your default.

What happens to your data when you switch

Changing your default search engine does not delete your browsing history, saved passwords, bookmarks, or any other Chrome data. It only changes where your address bar searches go. If you had used Google before and switch to Bing, your old Google searches remain in your history, but new searches will use Bing.

If you sign into Chrome with a Google account, switching away from Google as your search engine does not affect your account or sync settings. Your bookmarks, passwords, and other synced data will continue to work normally.

Changing search engines on different devices

If you sign into Chrome on multiple devices with the same account, your search engine choice syncs across them. Change it on your laptop, and it will change on your phone and tablet too. If you want different search engines on different devices, you can sign out of Chrome on one device, change the search engine, and sign back in — but this will stop syncing other data like bookmarks and passwords.

On Chrome for Android and iOS, the process is similar. Open the Chrome menu, go to Settings, tap Search engine, and pick a new default from the list. The same built-in options are available on mobile as on desktop.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a different search engine for private browsing?

No. Chrome uses the same default search engine for both regular and private browsing. If you want to search privately with a different engine, use the keyboard shortcut method described above — type the keyword, press space, then search — rather than changing your default.

Will changing my search engine affect Google services I use?

No. Changing your search engine does not affect Gmail, Google Drive, Google Maps, or any other Google service. It only changes where searches from Chrome's address bar go. You can still use Google services normally.

What if I want to go back to Google?

Go to Settings, click Search engine, and select Google from the dropdown. Your change takes effect immediately. You can switch back and forth as many times as you want.

Does my search engine choice affect which ads I see?

It may. Google and Bing both show ads based on your search history and browsing activity. DuckDuckGo shows ads based only on your search term, not your history. If you switch to DuckDuckGo partly to see fewer personalized ads, you will notice a difference.