Google is the default search engine in most browsers, but you may need to change it back if another search tool took over
When you open a new tab or use your browser's search bar, it sends your search to whatever engine is set as default. Most browsers ship with Google already selected, but some software installations, browser extensions, or accidental clicks can swap it out for Bing, Yahoo, or something else. Getting Google back takes two to five minutes and works the same way across Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and Safari.
The steps differ slightly by browser because each one stores this setting in a different place. This guide walks you through the exact clicks for each one, plus how to spot if something else has hijacked your search without your knowledge.
Key Takeaways
- Most browsers let you change the default search engine in Settings under Search or Search Engine, usually taking less than a minute.
- If you cannot find Google in the list of search engines, you may need to add it manually by entering Google's search URL.
- Browser extensions and toolbar software can override your default search engine; uninstalling them may be necessary to keep Google as default.
- Checking your default search engine once a month helps you catch unwanted changes before they become annoying.
How to change the 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 has detected. Google should be in that list. Click on Google to select it. If Google is not there, scroll down to Other search engines and click the Add button next to it. Chrome will then set Google as your default.
Close the Settings tab. The next time you use the search bar at the top of a new tab, your searches will go to Google.
How to change the default search engine in Firefox
Open Firefox and click the three horizontal lines (hamburger menu) in the top right corner. Select Settings. On the left, click Search.
Under Default Search Engine, you will see a dropdown menu showing your current default. Click it and select Google from the list. If Google does not appear, scroll down to One-Click Search Engines, find Google in that section, and right-click it, then choose Set as default search engine.
Close the Settings tab. Firefox will now search with Google when you use the address bar or a new tab.
How to change the default search engine in Microsoft Edge
Open Edge and click the three dots in the top right corner. Select Settings. On the left, 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. If Google is not visible, click Manage search engines, find Google in the list, hover over it, click the three dots that appear, and select Make default.
Close Settings. Edge will now use Google for all searches in the address bar and new tabs.
How to change the default search engine in Safari
Open Safari and click Safari in the top menu bar. Select Settings (or Preferences on older Macs). Click the Search tab.
You will see a dropdown for Search engine. Click it and select Google. Close the window. Safari will now search with Google when you use the search bar at the top of the browser.
What to do if Google does not appear in your search engine list
If Google is missing from the dropdown entirely, a browser extension or toolbar software may have removed it. Check your installed extensions first. In Chrome, click the puzzle piece icon in the top right, then click the three dots next to any extension you do not recognize and select Remove. In Firefox, click the three lines, select Add-ons and extensions, find suspicious extensions, and click Remove.
After removing extensions, restart your browser and check the search engine list again. Google should reappear. If it still does not, you can add it manually. In most browsers, there is an Add or Add search engine button in the search settings. Click it, enter "Google" as the name, and paste this URL into the search string field: https://www.google.com/search?q=%s. The %s tells the browser where to put your search term.
How to stop other software from changing your default search engine
Some programs installed on your computer can change your browser settings without asking. If you notice your search engine keeps switching back to something other than Google, check what software you have installed recently. Look for toolbars, browser helper objects, or search-related programs you do not remember installing.
In Windows, open Control Panel, click Programs, then Programs and Features. Look through the list for anything unfamiliar, right-click it, and select Uninstall. On Mac, open Applications in Finder, look for programs you do not use, drag them to Trash, and empty the Trash. After uninstalling, restart your browser and reset Google as the default search engine.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did my search engine change without me doing anything?
Browser extensions, toolbars, or software you installed can change your default search engine automatically. Some websites also try to change it when you visit them. Check your installed extensions and recently installed programs first. Removing unfamiliar ones usually solves the problem.
Can I set different default search engines for different browsers?
Yes. Each browser has its own search engine setting and does not affect the others. You can set Google as default in Chrome, Bing in Edge, and DuckDuckGo in Firefox all at the same time. The change only applies to the browser you are in.
What if I want to use a different search engine sometimes but keep Google as default?
You can search with any engine without changing your default. Just visit the website directly (like bing.com or duckduckgo.com) and search there. Your default only affects what happens when you use the browser's search bar or address bar.
Does resetting my browser to default settings change the search engine?
Yes. If you use your browser's "reset to default" or "restore settings" option, it will change your search engine back to whatever the browser shipped with, usually Google. You will need to set your preference again afterward.