Google is already Chrome's default search engine in most cases

When you open a new tab in Chrome and type in the address bar, Google handles your search by default. If you have changed your default search engine to something else — Bing, DuckDuckGo, Yahoo — and want to switch back to Google, the process takes about 30 seconds and lives in Chrome's settings menu.

The steps are the same whether you use Chrome on Windows, Mac, or Linux. If you use Chrome on a phone or tablet, the process is slightly different and covered in the FAQ section below.

Key Takeaways

  • Chrome's default search engine is set in Settings under Search Engine, not in your homepage or bookmarks.
  • You can change your default search engine at any time by opening Chrome Settings, selecting Search Engine, and choosing Google from the dropdown menu.
  • The search engine you set as default only affects searches typed into the address bar — it does not change what happens when you click a search link on a website.
  • If Google does not appear in your list of search engines, you may need to visit Google.com first so Chrome can detect it as an option.

The fastest way: Settings menu in three clicks

Open Chrome and click the three vertical dots in the top right corner of the window. This opens a menu. Click Settings near the bottom of that menu.

On the left side of the Settings page, click Search engine. You will see a dropdown menu labeled "Search engine used in the address bar." Click that dropdown and select Google from the list. Chrome saves this change immediately — you do not need to click a Save button.

Close the Settings tab and return to your browser. The next time you click the address bar and type a search, Google will handle it.

What if Google is not in the dropdown list

If you open the Search engine dropdown and Google does not appear as an option, Chrome has not yet detected Google as a search engine on your system. This usually happens if you have never visited Google.com in this browser, or if you cleared your browsing data recently.

Visit Google.com in a new tab. Once the page loads, return to Settings and open the Search engine dropdown again. Google should now appear in the list. Select it and close Settings.

If Google still does not appear after visiting Google.com, your browser may have a setting or extension preventing Chrome from detecting new search engines. Check whether you have installed any extensions that manage search or homepage settings — these can override Chrome's default behavior. You can see your installed extensions by typing chrome://extensions into the address bar.

Why your default search engine matters

Your default search engine only affects what happens when you type directly into Chrome's address bar (also called the omnibox). It does not change search results on websites themselves — if you click a search box on a news site or a shopping site, that site's own search engine will handle your query regardless of your Chrome settings.

Changing your default search engine is purely a personal preference. Google, Bing, DuckDuckGo, and other search engines all work in Chrome. The choice affects only your own searches from the address bar, not how websites function or how other people browse.

Resetting to Google if you have malware or unwanted changes

If your default search engine keeps changing back to something you did not choose, or if you see search results you do not recognize, a browser extension or malware may be overriding your settings. This is rare in Chrome, but it does happen.

First, check your installed extensions by typing chrome://extensions into the address bar. Look for any extension you do not recognize or remember installing. Click the trash icon next to it to remove it. Then return to Settings, go to Search engine, and set Google as your default again.

If the search engine changes again immediately after you set it, or if you see extensions you cannot remove, your computer itself may have malware. Run a full scan with your operating system's built-in security tool — Windows Defender on Windows, or Activity Monitor on Mac — or contact a local computer repair service.

Using Google without changing your default search engine

You do not have to change your default search engine to use Google. You can visit Google.com directly in a new tab at any time, regardless of what your default search engine is set to. Many people keep a different default search engine but visit Google.com when they want Google's specific features or results.

You can also bookmark Google.com for quick access, or add it to your Chrome home page by clicking the three dots in the top right, selecting Settings, then Homepage, and pasting the Google.com URL into the field provided.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I change my default search engine on Chrome for Android or iPhone?

On mobile Chrome, tap the three dots in the bottom right corner and select Settings. Tap Search engine and choose Google from the list. The process is the same on both Android and iPhone, though the menu location may vary slightly depending on your phone's version.

Will changing my default search engine affect my Google account or search history?

No. Your default search engine setting is separate from your Google account. Your search history is stored in your Google account if you are signed in, but changing which search engine Chrome uses by default does not affect that history or your account settings.

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

Yes. Chrome allows multiple user profiles, and each profile can have its own default search engine. Open Settings, go to Search engine, and the setting you change applies only to the profile you are currently using. Other profiles keep their own settings.

What is the difference between my default search engine and my homepage?

Your default search engine handles searches typed into the address bar. Your homepage is the page that loads when you open a new tab or window. You can set them independently — for example, you could have Google as your default search engine but set your homepage to a news site.

If I uninstall and reinstall Chrome, will my default search engine setting stay the same?

No. Reinstalling Chrome resets all settings to their defaults, including your search engine choice. You will need to change it back to Google using the Settings menu after reinstalling.