Change your default search engine in Chrome settings

Open Chrome and click the three vertical dots in the top right corner. Select Settings from the menu. On the left side, click Search engine. You'll see a list of search engines Chrome has detected from websites you visit. Click the one you want to use as your default, or choose from Google, Bing, Yahoo, DuckDuckGo, and others already built in.

The search engine you select will be used whenever you type a query in the address bar (called the omnibox). If you don't see the search engine you want in the list, you can add a custom one by clicking the Manage search engines and site search option and then clicking Add.

Key Takeaways

  • Your default search engine is set in Chrome Settings under the Search engine section, accessible through the three-dot menu.
  • Chrome offers built-in options including Google, Bing, Yahoo, and DuckDuckGo, plus any search engines from websites you've recently visited.
  • You can add a custom search engine by going to Manage search engines and clicking Add, then entering the search URL.
  • The search engine you set as default runs queries typed into the address bar, but does not affect searches within Chrome's settings or other menus.

Finding the search engine settings menu

The Settings menu is always in the same place in Chrome, no matter what device you're using. Click the three dots (sometimes called the hamburger menu) in the top right corner of your browser window. A dropdown menu will appear with several options. Look for Settings near the bottom of that menu and click it.

Once Settings opens, you'll see a sidebar on the left with different categories. Click Search engine to go directly to the search settings. This page shows your current default search engine at the top, followed by a list of other options.

Selecting a built-in search engine

Chrome comes with several search engines already set up and ready to use. The most common ones are Google, Bing, Yahoo, and DuckDuckGo. To switch to one of these, simply click on it in the list. Your choice takes effect immediately — you don't need to restart Chrome or confirm anything.

If you've visited websites that offer their own search functions (like Amazon or Wikipedia), Chrome may have added those to your list as well. You can set any of them as your default by clicking on it. This is useful if you frequently search within a specific site and want the address bar to search there by default.

Adding a custom search engine

If your preferred search engine isn't in the list, you can add it manually. On the Search engine settings page, click Manage search engines and site search. This opens a more detailed view of all your search options. At the bottom, click the Add button.

A form will appear asking for three things: the name of the search engine, a short keyword you can type in the address bar, and the search URL. The search URL is the tricky part — you need the exact format the search engine uses. For most search engines, you can find this by doing a search on their site, copying the URL from the address bar, and replacing the search term with %s. For example, if you search for "test" and the URL is example.com/search?q=test, you would enter example.com/search?q=%s. Once you've filled in all three fields, click Add.

Removing search engines you don't use

Over time, Chrome's search engine list can get cluttered with options you never use. You can clean this up by going to Manage search engines and site search and hovering over any search engine you want to remove. A three-dot menu will appear on the right side of that entry. Click it and select Remove.

You cannot remove the search engine you currently have set as default — Chrome won't let you delete the active option. If you want to remove your current default, first switch to a different search engine, then go back and remove the one you no longer want.

What happens when you change your default

Changing your default search engine only affects searches you type into the address bar. It does not change how Chrome's built-in search (the search box on the new tab page) works, nor does it affect searches within Chrome's settings or other built-in features. Those continue to use Google's search unless you change them separately.

Your choice is saved to your Chrome profile. If you sign into Chrome with a Google account, this setting syncs across all your devices — your laptop, phone, and tablet will all use the same default search engine. If you're not signed in, the setting only applies to that specific browser on that specific device.

Troubleshooting search engine problems

If you've set a search engine as default but the address bar still uses a different one, clear your browser cache and restart Chrome. Sometimes cached data can interfere with settings changes. Go to Settings, click Privacy and security, then Clear browsing data. Make sure Cookies and other site data is checked, then click Clear data.

If a search engine keeps reappearing in your list even after you remove it, it may be coming from a website you visit regularly. Some sites automatically register themselves as search options when you visit. You can remove it again, and it won't come back unless you visit that site's search function again. If an unwanted search engine is being set as your default without your action, a browser extension or malware may be responsible — check your extensions in Settings and remove anything you don't recognize.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use different search engines on different devices?

If you're signed into Chrome with a Google account, your search engine choice syncs across all devices. If you want different defaults on different devices, you'll need to either not sign in, or manually change the setting on each device after signing in.

Will changing my search engine affect my search history?

No. Your search history is separate from your default search engine setting. Changing the search engine does not delete or alter any history you've already built up in Chrome.

What if I accidentally delete a search engine I need?

You can add it back by going to Manage search engines and clicking Add. Enter the name, keyword, and search URL again. If you don't remember the search URL, visit the search engine's website, do a test search, and copy the URL format from your address bar.

Does changing my default search engine in Chrome affect other browsers?

No. Each browser (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge) has its own separate settings. Changing your default in Chrome does not change defaults in any other browser you use.

Can I set a different search engine just for private browsing?

Chrome does not allow you to set different defaults for incognito mode. Private browsing uses the same default search engine as your regular browsing.