Chrome uses Google as the default search engine by default, but you can change it if you've switched to something else

When you type a search directly into Chrome's address bar (called the omnibox), Chrome sends that search to whatever search engine you've set as default. Most people find Google is already set this way when they install Chrome, since Google owns Chrome. If you've accidentally switched to Bing, Yahoo, or another search engine and want Google back, you can change it in Chrome's settings in less than a minute.

This is different from setting Chrome itself as your default browser — this is about which search engine Chrome uses when you search from the address bar. The steps below work on Windows, Mac, and Linux.

Key Takeaways

  • Chrome's default search engine is set in Settings under Search Engine, not in your browser's main settings.
  • You can change your default search engine in three clicks: Settings > Search Engine > Google.
  • The search engine you set here is what Chrome uses when you type in the address bar, not when you use the Google homepage.
  • If Google doesn't appear in the list of options, you may need to visit Google.com first so Chrome can detect it as an option.

Open Chrome Settings and find the Search Engine section

Start by opening Google Chrome. In the top right corner, you'll see three vertical dots (the menu button). Click on it, then select Settings from the dropdown menu.

Once Settings opens, look at the left sidebar. Click on Search engine. This is where Chrome keeps all the search engines it knows about and lets you pick which one to use by default.

Select Google from the list of search engines

Under "Search engine used in the address bar," you'll see a dropdown menu showing your current default search engine. Click on that dropdown. Chrome will show you a list of search engines it has detected — this usually includes Google, Bing, Yahoo, and sometimes others depending on what websites you've visited.

Click on Google to select it. That's it — Chrome will immediately start using Google as your default search engine. The next time you type something in the address bar, it will search Google instead of whatever was set before.

What to do if Google doesn't appear in the list

If you don't see Google in the dropdown menu, Chrome hasn't detected it yet. The fix is simple: visit Google.com directly. Open a new tab, type google.com in the address bar, and press Enter. Once you've visited Google's homepage, go back to Settings > Search engine and check the dropdown again. Google should now appear as an option.

This happens because Chrome only adds a search engine to the list when it detects that website's search function. Simply visiting the site teaches Chrome that Google is available as a search option.

Understanding the difference between default search engine and default browser

It's easy to mix these up because they sound similar. Your default search engine is what Chrome uses when you search from the address bar. Your default browser is which program opens when you click a link in an email or document. Setting Google as your default search engine doesn't change which browser opens links — that's a separate setting in your operating system.

If you want to make Chrome your default browser instead, that's a different process that happens in your Windows or Mac settings, not in Chrome itself.

Checking that Google is actually set as default

To confirm Google is now your default search engine, open a new tab in Chrome and click in the address bar. Type a test search — something like "weather" — and press Enter. The results page should show Google's layout with the Google logo at the top. If you see Bing's layout or another search engine's design, the change didn't take, and you should repeat the steps above.

Sometimes Chrome needs a moment to apply the change, so if it doesn't work the first time, close Chrome completely and open it again, then test the search once more.

Why Chrome might switch your search engine back

Occasionally, malware or unwanted browser extensions can change your default search engine without your permission. If you set Google as default and it keeps switching back to something else, you likely have an extension causing the problem. Go to Settings > Extensions and look for anything unfamiliar. Disable or remove any extension you don't recognize, then check your search engine setting again.

If extensions aren't the issue, run a malware scan using Windows Defender (on Windows) or your antivirus software. Malware sometimes hijacks search settings and keeps resetting them even after you change them manually.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does setting Google as my default search engine in Chrome make Google my default browser?

No. Your default search engine and default browser are separate settings. Setting Google as your search engine only affects what happens when you search from Chrome's address bar. Your default browser is which program opens links from emails and documents, and that's controlled by your operating system, not Chrome.

Will changing my search engine affect my bookmarks or browsing history?

No. Changing your default search engine only changes which search engine Chrome uses when you search from the address bar. It doesn't touch your bookmarks, history, passwords, or any other data stored in Chrome.

What if I want to use Google for some searches but a different search engine for others?

Chrome doesn't have a built-in way to use different search engines for different types of searches. You can only set one default. If you want to use another search engine sometimes, you can visit that search engine's website directly and search from there, or you can use a different browser for those searches.

Can I add a search engine that's not in Chrome's list?

Yes. In Settings > Search engine, scroll down to "Other search engines" and click "Add." You can enter the name of the search engine, a keyword shortcut, and the search URL. However, most people won't need to do this — Chrome detects the major search engines automatically.