You can change your default search engine in Chromebook settings in about two minutes

When you open a new tab on your Chromebook and type in the address bar, it searches using Google by default. You can change this to Bing, DuckDuckGo, Yahoo, or several other search engines by adjusting one setting. The change applies to all searches you do from the address bar, but not to searches you do directly on Google's website.

The setting lives in Chrome's main menu, not in a separate Chromebook settings app. You do not need to restart your device or sign out of your account.

Key Takeaways

  • Open the Chrome menu (three vertical dots in the top right), go to Settings, then search for "search engine" to find the option.
  • The default search engine controls what happens when you type a question directly into the address bar, not when you visit Google's website.
  • DuckDuckGo, Bing, Yahoo, and Ecosia are common alternatives, each with different privacy or environmental features.
  • If your search engine keeps changing back to Google, a browser extension or malware may be resetting it — check your installed extensions in Settings.

How to change the search engine in three steps

Open Chrome and look for the three vertical dots in the top right corner of the window. Click on it, then select Settings from the menu that appears.

On the left side of the Settings page, click Search engine. You will see a dropdown menu that currently shows Google (or whichever engine is set now). Click the dropdown to see your options: Bing, DuckDuckGo, Yahoo, Ecosia, and a few others depending on your region.

Click the search engine you want to use. The change takes effect immediately. The next time you open a new tab and type a search into the address bar, it will use your new default engine.

What each search engine does differently

Google is the default. It returns results based on your search history and location, which makes results more personalized but also means Google stores data about what you search for.

Bing is Microsoft's search engine. It works similarly to Google but tends to weight recent news and images more heavily. Microsoft also stores your search history unless you turn off tracking in Bing's settings.

DuckDuckGo does not store your search history or use your location to personalize results. It returns the same results to everyone searching for the same term. Some people prefer this for privacy; others find results less tailored to what they actually want.

Yahoo uses Bing's search results but adds its own news and content on top. It also tracks your searches unless you disable tracking in your account settings.

Ecosia uses Bing's results and donates a portion of its ad revenue to tree-planting projects. Like other engines, it stores some data about your searches.

Why your search engine might keep changing back

If you set a new default search engine but it keeps reverting to Google, a browser extension or piece of unwanted software is likely changing it back. This is one of the most common ways malware affects Chromebooks.

Go to Settings, then click Extensions on the left side. Look through the list for anything you do not recognize or do not remember installing. Uninstall it by clicking the trash icon next to its name. Pay special attention to extensions that promise to change your homepage, speed up browsing, or block ads — these are common culprits.

After removing suspicious extensions, go back to Search engine in Settings and set your preferred engine again. If it sticks this time, the problem is solved. If it changes again, your Chromebook may have malware that requires a full reset.

The difference between your search engine and your homepage

Your search engine is what runs when you type into the address bar. Your homepage is the page that loads when you open a new tab or click the home button. You can set these separately.

To change your homepage, go to Settings, click Appearance on the left, then toggle on "Show home button" if it is not already on. A dropdown will appear below it where you can choose what page loads when you click that button. This does not affect which search engine you use.

Searching on Google's website still uses Google, even if you change your default

If you go directly to google.com and search there, you are using Google's search engine regardless of what you set as your default. The default setting only controls what happens when you type into the address bar on a new tab.

The same is true for other search engines' websites. If you visit duckduckgo.com directly, you are searching with DuckDuckGo even if your default is set to Bing. Changing your default search engine does not block you from using any search engine — it just changes which one runs automatically.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I add a search engine that is not in the dropdown list?

Yes. In Settings under Search engine, scroll to the bottom and click "Manage search engines." You can add a custom search engine by entering its name, a keyword shortcut, and the URL format it uses. This is advanced and most people do not need it.

Does changing my search engine affect my Google account or Gmail?

No. Your search engine setting is separate from your Google account. You can use DuckDuckGo or Bing as your default search engine and still sign into Gmail, Google Drive, and other Google services normally.

Will changing my search engine make my Chromebook faster?

No. Search engine choice does not affect Chromebook speed. If someone tells you a particular search engine will speed up your device, they are not being accurate. Speed depends on your internet connection and how many browser tabs you have open.

What should I do if I cannot find the search engine option in Settings?

Make sure you are in Chrome Settings, not Chromebook Settings. Open the three-dot menu in the top right of Chrome itself, not the system menu. If you are in the right place and the option is missing, your Chromebook may be managed by a school or workplace that has locked this setting.