Chrome lets you change your default search engine in Settings
Open Chrome and go to Settings (the three vertical dots in the top right corner, then select Settings). On the left side, click Search engine. You'll see a dropdown menu that currently shows your default search engine — usually Google. Click the dropdown and select a different search engine from the list, or add a custom one.
The change takes effect immediately. Any time you type a search term in the address bar (called the omnibox), Chrome will use your new default search engine. If you change your mind later, you can return to the same Settings page and switch back.
Key Takeaways
- Your default search engine is changed through Settings > Search engine, where you pick from a pre-loaded list or add a custom engine.
- Chrome comes with several search engines already available: Google, Bing, Yahoo, and DuckDuckGo are common options depending on your region.
- You can add a search engine that isn't on the default list by entering its search URL in the custom search engine field.
- Changing your default search engine does not affect search results in browser extensions or other programs — only searches you perform directly in Chrome's address bar.
Where to find the search engine setting
Open Chrome and click the three-line menu icon (hamburger menu) in the top right corner. Select Settings. On the left sidebar, you'll see several options; click Search engine. This page shows your current default search engine and a dropdown list of alternatives.
The search engine setting is separate from your homepage setting. Changing your search engine does not change which page loads when you open a new tab or start Chrome — that's controlled under Settings > On startup.
Search engines available by default in Chrome
Chrome includes several search engines you can choose from without any additional setup. The list varies slightly by country and region, but typically includes Google, Bing, Yahoo, and DuckDuckGo. Some regions may also see Yandex or other local search engines.
To switch to one of these, click the dropdown menu under "Search engine" and select the one you want. The change is immediate — your next search in the address bar will use the new engine.
Adding a search engine that isn't on the default list
If you want to use a search engine that doesn't appear in Chrome's dropdown, you can add it manually. Scroll down on the Search engine settings page to the section labeled Other search engines. Click Add, then fill in three fields: the search engine name, a short keyword (optional, used if you type the keyword in the address bar), and the search URL.
To find the correct search URL, visit the search engine's website and perform a test search. Look at the address bar — the URL will contain your search term. Replace that term with %s and paste the modified URL into Chrome's custom search engine field. For example, if the search URL is https://example.com/search?q=test, you would enter https://example.com/search?q=%s.
Once you've added the custom search engine, it appears in your dropdown list and can be set as your default.
Using a keyword to search from the address bar
When you add a custom search engine, you can assign it a keyword. This lets you search that engine without making it your default. For example, if you set the keyword "w" for Wikipedia, you can type w your search term in the address bar and Chrome will search Wikipedia directly.
To set or change a keyword for any search engine (default or custom), go to Settings > Search engine, find the engine in the list, click the three dots next to it, and select Edit. Change the keyword field and click Save.
What happens to your old search engine
When you change your default search engine, Chrome doesn't delete the old one. It remains in your search engine list and can be used anytime by clicking the dropdown in the address bar or by using its keyword shortcut. You can remove a search engine from the list by clicking the three dots next to it and selecting Remove.
If you remove your default search engine by mistake, Chrome will automatically revert to Google until you choose a different default.
Search engine changes don't affect extensions or other programs
Changing your default search engine in Chrome only affects searches you perform in Chrome's address bar. Browser extensions, search bars added by other software, and searches performed in other programs will continue to use their own settings.
If you notice that searches are still going to your old search engine, check whether you have a browser extension that overrides Chrome's search settings. Go to Settings > Extensions and review what each extension does. Some search-related extensions can reset your default search engine or intercept searches before Chrome processes them.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I have different search engines for different profiles in Chrome?
Yes. Each Chrome profile has its own Settings, so you can set a different default search engine for each profile. Switch profiles by clicking your profile icon in the top right corner, then select the profile you want. Go to Settings > Search engine and choose your preferred engine for that profile.
Why does my search engine keep changing back to Google?
A browser extension, malware, or unwanted software may be resetting your search engine. Check Settings > Extensions and disable or remove any you don't recognize. If the problem persists, run a malware scan using your computer's built-in security tool or a third-party antivirus program.
What if I want to search with a different engine just once?
Click the dropdown arrow in the address bar (to the left of your search term) and select a different search engine from the list. That single search will use the engine you picked, but your default remains unchanged.
Does changing my search engine affect my search history?
No. Your search history is stored separately from your search engine setting. Changing search engines does not delete or hide your previous searches. You can view and manage your search history in Settings > Privacy and security > Clear browsing data.