Firefox lets you pick which search engine appears in the address bar

When you type a question or search term into Firefox's address bar, the browser sends it to a search engine. By default, Firefox uses Google, but you can change this to Bing, DuckDuckGo, Wikipedia, or several others in about 30 seconds. The change takes effect immediately and applies every time you search from the address bar.

This is different from changing your home page. Your home page is what loads when you open a new tab or start Firefox. Your default search engine is what handles the searches you type into the address bar at the top of the window.

Key Takeaways

  • Open Firefox settings, select the Search section, and pick a new search engine from the "Default Search Engine" dropdown menu.
  • Firefox comes with Google, Bing, DuckDuckGo, Ecosia, and Wikipedia already installed as options.
  • You can add other search engines by visiting their websites and using the "Add Search Engine" button that appears in the address bar.
  • Your choice applies only to Firefox — it does not change the default search engine in other browsers like Chrome or Edge.

How to change your default search engine in three steps

Step 1: Open Firefox settings. Click the menu button (three horizontal lines) in the top right corner of Firefox. Select "Settings" from the dropdown menu.

Step 2: Go to the Search section. On the left side of the settings page, click "Search". You will see a section labeled "Default Search Engine" near the top.

Step 3: Pick a new search engine. Click the dropdown menu under "Default Search Engine" and select the one you want. The options that come with Firefox are Google, Bing, DuckDuckGo, Ecosia, and Wikipedia. Your choice saves automatically.

That is all you need to do. The next time you type a search into the address bar, Firefox will use your new default search engine.

Built-in search engines Firefox offers

Firefox includes five search engines you can choose from without installing anything extra. Google is the default, but here is what the others do.

Bing is Microsoft's search engine. It works similarly to Google and shows web results, images, and news. DuckDuckGo is a privacy-focused search engine that does not track your searches or store your search history. Ecosia is a search engine that plants trees — it donates most of its profit to reforestation projects. Wikipedia searches only Wikipedia's encyclopedia, which is useful if you want quick definitions or background information without general web results.

You can switch between these five at any time by going back to Settings and picking a different one from the dropdown.

Adding search engines beyond Firefox's built-in options

If you want to use a search engine that does not appear in Firefox's dropdown menu, you can add it yourself. Most search engines have a button on their website that says "Add Search Engine" or shows a plus sign. When you click it, Firefox will ask if you want to add that search engine to your list.

For example, if you visit StartPage.com or Qwant.com, you will see an option to add them to Firefox. Once you add a search engine this way, it appears in your dropdown menu and you can set it as your default. You can also remove any search engine you added by going to Settings, clicking Search, and clicking the X next to the engine's name under "One-Click Search Engines".

Adding a search engine does not change your default — you still have to go to the dropdown and select it as your default search engine for it to take effect in the address bar.

The difference between address bar searches and search box searches

Firefox has two places where you can search: the address bar at the very top, and a separate search box that appears when you open a new tab. Your default search engine setting controls what happens when you type into the address bar. The search box on a new tab uses the same default search engine by default, but you can set it to something different if you want.

To change the search box separately, go to Settings, click Search, and look for the "Search Bar" section. You will see a dropdown there where you can pick a different search engine just for the search box. Most people leave both set to the same engine, but this option exists if you want to use one search engine in the address bar and another in the search box.

What happens if you use a work or school computer

If Firefox is installed on a computer managed by your workplace or school, your administrator may have locked the default search engine so you cannot change it. If you open Settings and the dropdown menu is grayed out or does not respond when you click it, this is why. You would need to contact your IT department or administrator to change it.

On your personal computer, you have full control and can change the search engine whenever you want.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does changing my search engine in Firefox change it in Chrome or Edge?

No. Each browser has its own default search engine setting. If you use multiple browsers, you need to change the default search engine separately in each one. Changing it in Firefox does not affect Chrome, Edge, Safari, or any other browser.

Can I use a search engine that is not in the dropdown menu?

Yes. Visit the search engine's website and look for an "Add Search Engine" button or option. Click it and Firefox will add it to your list. Once it is added, you can set it as your default from the dropdown menu in Settings.

What if I accidentally delete a search engine I added?

You can add it back by visiting the search engine's website again and clicking the "Add Search Engine" button. If it is one of Firefox's built-in search engines (Google, Bing, DuckDuckGo, Ecosia, or Wikipedia), it will always be available in the dropdown menu even if you remove it.

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

No. Your bookmarks, history, passwords, and all other data remain unchanged. Changing your default search engine only affects which search engine handles queries you type into the address bar going forward.