What changing your search engine means and why you might do it

Your browser — Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge — comes with a default search engine built in. When you type a question into the address bar at the top of the page, that default engine is what runs the search. Changing your default search engine means picking a different one: Google, Bing, DuckDuckGo, Yahoo, or others. The change is permanent until you change it again.

People change their search engine for different reasons. Some want more privacy — DuckDuckGo and Startpage don't track your searches the way Google does. Some prefer a different interface or results layout. Some want to use a search engine that doesn't show ads. The process is different depending on which browser you use, but it takes less than a minute on any of them.

Key Takeaways

  • Your browser's address bar uses a default search engine; you can change it to Google, Bing, DuckDuckGo, Yahoo, or others without installing anything new.
  • The steps are different for Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge, but all of them live in the browser's settings menu.
  • You can also change the search engine for a single search without changing your default — just visit the search engine's website directly.
  • Changing your search engine does not affect your email, passwords, or any other account; it only changes what happens when you search from your address bar.

How to change your 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 already knows about — Google, Bing, Yahoo, DuckDuckGo, and others. Click the one you want to use as your default. That's it; your address bar will now search using that engine.

If the search engine you want is not on the list, you can add it manually. In the same Search engine settings page, scroll down to Other search engines and click Add. You will need the search engine's name, a short keyword (like "d" for DuckDuckGo), and the search URL. Most search engines publish this information on their website or in their help section. Once you add it, you can set it as your default the same way.

How to change your search engine in Firefox

Open Firefox and click the three horizontal lines (the menu button) 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 default. Click it and choose from Google, Bing, Yahoo, DuckDuckGo, Ecosia, or others. The change takes effect immediately.

Firefox also lets you add a search engine that is not on the list. Scroll down to One-Click Search Engines. Visit the website of the search engine you want to add, right-click in its search box, and select Add a Keyword for this Search. Firefox will remember it. Then go back to the Default Search Engine dropdown and select it.

How to change your search engine in Safari

Open Safari and click Safari in the menu bar at the very top of your screen. Select Settings (or Preferences on older Macs). Click the Search tab. Under Search engine, click the dropdown menu and choose Google, Yahoo, Bing, or DuckDuckGo. Close the settings window. Your address bar will now use the search engine you picked.

Safari's options are more limited than Chrome or Firefox — you cannot add a custom search engine. If none of the built-in options work for you, you can still search using a different engine by visiting its website directly and searching from there instead of from the address bar.

How to change your search engine in 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. Choose from Google, Bing, Yahoo, DuckDuckGo, or others. The change is immediate.

To add a search engine not on the list, scroll down to Address bar search engine and click Manage search engines. Click Add, fill in the search engine's name and URL, and click Add as default. Edge will remember it and use it the next time you search from the address bar.

Searching with a different engine without changing your default

You do not have to change your default search engine to use a different one for a single search. Simply visit the search engine's website directly — go to google.com, duckduckgo.com, bing.com, or wherever — and type your question into the search box there. That search will use that engine, and your default will stay the same.

This is useful if you want to try a different search engine before committing to it as your default, or if you want to use different engines for different kinds of searches. Some people use Google for most searches but switch to DuckDuckGo when they want more privacy, for example.

What does not change when you change your search engine

Changing your search engine does not touch your email account, your passwords, your bookmarks, or your browsing history. It does not sign you out of any websites. It does not install anything on your computer or phone. It only changes what search engine runs when you type a question into your browser's address bar.

If you use a Google account to sign into Chrome, or a Microsoft account to sign into Edge, changing your search engine does not affect that account or sign you out. Your browser and your search engine are separate things, even though they work together.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a different search engine on my phone?

Yes. On iPhone, open Settings, scroll to Safari, tap Search Engine, and pick a different one. On Android, open Chrome, tap the three dots, go to Settings, then Search Engine, and choose a new default. The process is similar to desktop.

Will changing my search engine make my internet faster?

No. Search speed depends on your internet connection and the search engine's servers, not on which browser you use. Some search engines may feel faster because they show fewer ads or a simpler layout, but the actual speed difference is usually not noticeable.

What if I change my search engine and then want to change it back?

Go back to your browser's settings and pick a different default the same way you did the first time. There is no limit to how many times you can change it. You can switch back and forth as often as you want.

Do I need to restart my browser after changing my search engine?

No. Most browsers apply the change immediately. You can start searching with your new engine right away without closing and reopening the browser.

Can my internet provider or employer see which search engine I use?

They can see that you are visiting the search engine's website, but not the specific searches you type into it — that depends on whether the search engine itself logs your activity. DuckDuckGo and Startpage do not log searches; Google and Bing do.