Chrome already uses Google Search by default

If you installed Chrome normally and have not changed your settings, Google Search is already your default search engine. When you click the address bar and type a question or phrase, Chrome sends it to Google automatically. You do not need to do anything — this is how Chrome comes set up out of the box.

The confusion usually happens because people think "default browser" and "default search engine" are the same thing. They are not. Your default browser is the program that opens when you click a link in email or another app. Your default search engine is what handles searches from the address bar. This article covers the search engine setting, which lives inside Chrome itself.

Key Takeaways

  • Google Search is Chrome's default search engine already, so most people do not need to change anything.
  • If you see Bing, Yahoo, or another search engine when you use the address bar, you can switch back to Google in Chrome's settings in under one minute.
  • The setting lives under Settings > Search engine, not in Windows or Mac system settings.
  • If Chrome is not your default browser on your computer, that is a separate setting in your operating system, not in Chrome.

Check what search engine you are using right now

Before you change anything, confirm which search engine is actually handling your searches. Open Chrome and click the address bar at the top of the page. Type a word or question — any word will do. Look at the page that loads. If you see Google's logo and layout, Google is already your default. If you see Bing's logo or Yahoo's layout, something has changed and you will want to fix it.

The search engine can change if you install a browser extension that modifies your settings, if malware lands on your computer, or if you accidentally clicked a button during installation of another program. The good news is that switching back to Google takes about 30 seconds.

Switch to Google Search in Chrome settings

Open Chrome and click the three vertical dots in the top right corner of the window. A menu will drop down. Click Settings — it is near the bottom of that menu. A new tab will open showing your Chrome settings.

On the left side of the settings page, click Search engine. You will see a list of search engines that Chrome knows about. Look for Google in that list. Click the radio button next to Google — it is the small circle to the left of the word "Google". Chrome will immediately switch to Google Search.

That is all you need to do. Close the settings tab and go back to the address bar. Type something and you will see Google's search results. The change takes effect right away — you do not need to restart Chrome or your computer.

What to do if Google does not appear in the list

If you look at the search engine list and Google is not there at all, something has removed it. This sometimes happens when malware or an aggressive browser extension takes over your settings. The fix is to add Google back manually.

In the search engine settings, look for a button that says Manage search engines or Manage search engines and site search. Click it. A longer list will open. Scroll down to see if Google appears further down. If it does, click the three dots next to Google and select Make default. If Google does not appear anywhere on this list, you will need to add it: click Add, then type "Google" as the name, "google.com" as the URL, and "https://www.google.com/search?q=%s" as the search URL. Then make it your default.

If you find yourself adding Google back repeatedly, or if unwanted search engines keep reappearing, you may have a browser extension or program on your computer that is fighting your settings. Check your installed extensions by clicking the puzzle piece icon in the top right of Chrome, then look for anything you do not recognize. Uninstall it. If the problem continues, run a malware scan on your computer using Windows Defender (on Windows) or the built-in security tools on Mac.

The difference between default search engine and default browser

Your default search engine is what Chrome uses when you search from the address bar. Your default browser is the program that opens when you click a link in email, a text message, or another app on your computer. These are two completely separate settings.

If you want Chrome to be your default browser — meaning Chrome opens automatically when you click links — that setting lives in your operating system, not in Chrome. On Windows, go to Settings > Apps > Default apps and choose Chrome. On Mac, open System Preferences > General and select Chrome as your default web browser. This guide focuses on the search engine setting inside Chrome, not the system-wide browser setting.

Why your search engine might have changed without you doing anything

Search engines can change for a few reasons. Browser extensions sometimes modify your settings as part of what they do — some are designed to do this, others do it accidentally. When you install software on your computer, the installer might ask you to change your search engine and you might miss the checkbox because it is hidden or worded in a confusing way. Malware can also change your search engine, though this is less common on modern computers with good security.

If you change it back to Google and it keeps switching back to something else, the problem is usually a browser extension or a program on your computer that is fighting your choice. Look at your Chrome extensions (click the puzzle piece icon in the top right) and remove anything you do not recognize. If that does not solve it, run Windows Defender or your Mac's security tools to scan for malware.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

No. Your search engine setting only controls what happens when you search from the address bar. Your bookmarks, history, passwords, and all other Chrome data stay exactly the same. You can change your search engine back and forth as many times as you want without losing anything.

Can I use different search engines for different things?

Chrome only lets you set one default search engine at a time. However, you can always go to Google.com directly in a new tab and search there, or use a different search engine's website. Some people use browser extensions that let you choose a search engine from a menu, but the simplest approach is to stick with one default.

What if I want to use Google but I see Bing every time I search?

Go to Chrome Settings > Search engine and make sure Google is selected. If Google is selected but Bing still appears, you likely have a browser extension or program changing your settings. Check your extensions (puzzle piece icon, top right) and uninstall anything unfamiliar. Then run a malware scan on your computer.

Does setting Google as my search engine cost money?

No. Google Search is free. Chrome is free. There is no charge for changing your search engine or using any of these services.

Can I set Google as my default search engine on my phone?

Yes, but the steps are different. On Android, open Chrome, tap the three dots at the bottom right, go to Settings > Search engine, and select Google. On iPhone, open Chrome, tap the three dots at the bottom right, go to Settings > Search engine, and select Google. The process is similar to the desktop version but the menu locations are slightly different because of how phone screens work.