What changing your search engine means and why you might do it
Your default search engine is the one that runs when you type a question into your browser's address bar or search box without picking a specific site first. Most computers and phones come set to Google, but you can change it to Bing, DuckDuckGo, Yahoo, or others in a few clicks. The change stays with you across searches until you switch again.
People change search engines for different reasons: some want more privacy, others prefer a different layout or results style, and some want to support a search engine that donates to causes they care about. The process is straightforward and takes less than a minute on most devices.
Key Takeaways
- On Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge, you change your default search engine through Settings or Preferences, not by installing anything new.
- The steps differ slightly by browser, but all involve finding the Search Engine section in Settings and selecting a new default from a dropdown list.
- Your browser usually offers three to five search engines to choose from without downloading anything; less common engines require extra steps.
- Changing your search engine does not affect your browsing history, passwords, or other saved information.
- You can change back to your original search engine at any time using the same steps.
How to change your search engine on 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 offers by default: Google, Bing, Yahoo, and DuckDuckGo are usually there. Click the one you want to use. Chrome will ask you to confirm; click the button next to your choice. The change takes effect immediately — your next search will use the new engine.
If you want to add a search engine that is not on the list, scroll down to Other search engines and click Add. You will need the search engine's web address and the exact format it uses for searches, which most search engines publish in their settings or help pages.
How to change your search engine on Firefox
Open Firefox and click the three horizontal lines (called a hamburger menu) in the top right. Select Settings. On the left, click Search.
Under Default Search Engine, you will see a dropdown menu showing your current choice. Click it to see Firefox's built-in options: Google, Bing, Yahoo, DuckDuckGo, and others depending on your region. Select the one you want. The change happens right away.
To add a search engine not in the list, scroll down to One-Click Search Engines. You can click the plus sign next to any search engine shown there to add it as an option, or visit a search engine's website and look for an "Add to Firefox" button in its settings.
How to change your search engine on 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 menu labeled Search engine. Click it to choose from Google, Yahoo, Bing, or DuckDuckGo. Select your choice and close the Settings window. Your new search engine is now active.
Safari does not offer a built-in way to add search engines outside its standard list. If you want to use a search engine not shown, you will need to visit that engine's website directly each time, or use a different browser.
How to change your search engine on Microsoft Edge
Open Edge and click the three dots in the top right corner. Select Settings. On the left side, click Privacy, search, and services.
Scroll down to Search engine and click the dropdown showing your current default. Edge offers Google, Bing, Yahoo, and DuckDuckGo. Select the one you want to use. The change takes effect immediately on your next search.
To add a search engine not in the list, scroll down further to Address bar search engine and click Manage search engines. Click Add, enter the search engine's name and web address, and save. You can then set it as your default.
What happens after you change your search engine
Once you change your default, every search you type into the address bar or search box will use the new engine. Your bookmarks, history, passwords, and autofill information stay exactly as they were — changing search engines does not touch any of that.
If you notice you do not like the new search engine after a few days, you can switch back using the same steps. There is no penalty or waiting period; you can change as many times as you want.
Some websites and browser extensions may try to change your default search engine without asking. If you notice your search engine has changed on its own, go back to Settings and switch it back. Then check your browser extensions and remove any you do not recognize or trust.
Search engines you can choose from
Most browsers offer these search engines built in: Google (returns results based on your search history and location), Bing (Microsoft's search engine, similar to Google), Yahoo (powered by Bing but with its own interface), and DuckDuckGo (does not store your search history or use your location).
Less common options include Ecosia (plants a tree for every search), Startpage (shows Google results without tracking), and Qwant (a European search engine focused on privacy). These usually require you to add them manually through the "Add search engine" process in your browser's settings.
No search engine is objectively "best" — it depends on what matters to you. If you want the most results and fastest answers, Google and Bing are strongest. If privacy is your main concern, DuckDuckGo and Startpage are built around not tracking you. If you want to support a cause, Ecosia donates its profits to tree-planting projects.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will changing my search engine affect my bookmarks or saved passwords?
No. Your bookmarks, passwords, browsing history, and all other saved information stay exactly the same. Changing your search engine only changes where your searches go — nothing else on your browser changes.
Can I use different search engines on different devices?
Yes. Each device has its own browser settings, so you can set Chrome on your phone to DuckDuckGo and Chrome on your computer to Google. The settings do not sync unless you sign into the same account on both devices and turn on sync.
What if a website or ad keeps changing my search engine back?
Some websites and browser extensions try to hijack your search engine. Go back to Settings and change it again. Then check your browser extensions (in Settings under Extensions or Add-ons) and remove anything you did not install yourself. If it keeps happening, run a malware scan on your computer.
Do I need to download anything to change my search engine?
No. All major browsers come with at least four search engines built in. You can switch between them in Settings without downloading anything. Adding a less common search engine sometimes requires visiting its website, but you do not need to install software.
Can I set a different search engine just for private or incognito browsing?
Most browsers do not offer this option. Your default search engine applies to all browsing, private or not. If you want to use a different search engine for private browsing, you would need to change your default, open a private window, search, then change it back.