What changing your default search engine means

Your default search engine is the one that runs when you type words into your browser's address bar instead of a full web address. Right now, you have one set — usually Google, Bing, or Yahoo depending on your browser and device. Changing it means picking a different search engine and telling your browser to use that one instead whenever you search from the address bar.

This is different from visiting a search engine's website directly. When you change the default, the browser itself redirects your searches. The steps differ depending on which browser you use — Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge — and the process takes two to five minutes on any of them.

Key Takeaways

  • Your default search engine is the one that runs when you type into your browser's address bar, and you can change it to any search engine your browser supports.
  • The steps are different for Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge, but all involve going to browser settings and selecting a new search engine from a list.
  • You can change your default search engine back at any time using the same steps.
  • If your default keeps changing on its own, a browser extension or installed software may be overriding your choice — check your extensions and installed programs.

Changing your default search engine in Chrome

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 will see a list of search engines Chrome has detected. The one with a dot next to it is your current default. Click on the search engine you want to use instead, and it becomes your new default immediately. Chrome supports Google, Bing, Yahoo, DuckDuckGo, and Ecosia by default. If you want to use a search engine not on the list, you can add it manually by clicking Manage search engines, then Add, and entering the search engine's name and web address.

Changing your default search engine in Firefox

Open Firefox and click the three horizontal lines (called a 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 choice. Click it and select a different search engine from the list. Firefox includes Google, Bing, Yahoo, DuckDuckGo, Wikipedia, and others. Your new default takes effect immediately. If you want to add a search engine that is not on the list, scroll down to One-Click Search Engines and click the plus sign next to any search engine shown there to add it to your options.

Changing your default search engine in Safari

Open Safari and click Safari in the top menu bar. Select Settings (or Preferences on older versions). Click the Search tab.

You will see a dropdown menu labeled Search engine. Click it and choose from Safari's built-in options: Google, Yahoo, Bing, or DuckDuckGo. Your choice takes effect right away. Safari does not allow you to add search engines outside this list, so if you want to use a different search engine, you will need to visit its website directly each time.

Changing your 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 Search engine and click the dropdown showing your current default. Select a new search engine from the list. Edge includes Google, Bing, Yahoo, DuckDuckGo, and others. The change happens immediately. To add a search engine not on the list, click Manage search engines, then Add, and enter the search engine's details.

What to do if your default search engine keeps changing

If you set a new default and it changes back on its own, a browser extension or installed software is likely overriding your choice. Open your browser's extension or add-on menu and look for anything you do not recognize or did not install yourself. Right-click it and select Remove or Uninstall.

You should also check your computer's installed programs. On Windows, go to Settings > Apps > Apps and features and look for programs you did not install or do not use. On Mac, open Applications in Finder and drag suspicious programs to the Trash. After removing extensions or programs, restart your browser and set your default search engine again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does changing my default search engine affect my search history?

No. Your search history stays in your browser regardless of which search engine you use as the default. Changing the default only changes where new searches go, not what your browser has recorded from the past.

Can I use a different search engine for different types of searches?

Most browsers do not support this natively. You can only set one default. However, you can always type a search engine's web address directly and search there instead — for example, going to duckduckgo.com and searching from that page.

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

No. Your Google account, Gmail, and other Google services work independently of which search engine you set as your default. You can use Gmail and other Google products while using a different search engine for web searches.

What if I do not see the search engine I want in the list?

Most browsers let you add custom search engines through their settings. Look for an option like Manage search engines or Add search engine, then enter the search engine's name and web address. If your browser does not support adding custom engines, you can visit that search engine's website directly each time you want to use it.