Set Google as default in your browser settings
The steps to make Google your default search engine depend on which browser you use. Your browser is the program you open to visit websites — Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge are the most common. When you set a default search engine, that's the one that runs when you type a question in the address bar or use the search box on a new tab.
Most browsers let you change this in Settings or Preferences, usually under a "Search" or "Search Engine" section. The exact location and wording differ between browsers, but the process takes less than a minute once you find the right menu. You don't change this setting on Google itself — you change it inside your browser's own settings.
Key Takeaways
- Your default search engine is the one that runs when you type in the address bar or search box — it's set in your browser's Settings, not on Google itself.
- Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge all let you change the default search engine, and Google is usually already an option in the dropdown menu.
- If Google doesn't appear in your search engine list, you can add it manually by entering Google's search URL in the settings.
- Changing your default search engine does not affect which search results you see when you visit Google.com directly.
- Some browser extensions or programs can override your default search engine, so check your installed extensions if the change doesn't stick.
Google Chrome: Change default search in Settings
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'll see a dropdown menu showing your current default search engine. Click it and select Google from the list. If Google is already checked, it's already your default. Close the Settings tab — the change saves automatically. The next time you open a new tab or type in the address bar, Google will handle your searches.
Firefox: Set Google as default in Preferences
Open Firefox and click the three horizontal lines (hamburger menu) in the top right. Select Settings. On the left, click Search.
Under "Default Search Engine," you'll see a dropdown menu. Click it and choose Google. The change takes effect immediately. If you don't see Google in the list, scroll down to see more options — Firefox includes several search engines by default. You can also remove search engines you don't use by right-clicking them and selecting remove.
Safari: Change search engine in Preferences
Open Safari and click Safari in the top menu bar. Select Preferences (or Settings on newer versions). Click the Search tab.
You'll see a dropdown labeled "Search engine." Click it and select Google. Close the Preferences window — the change is saved automatically. Safari's search engine setting applies to searches you type in the address bar and the search box on new tabs. This setting is separate from any search you do on Safari's start page.
Microsoft Edge: Update search settings
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 the "Search engine" section. Click the dropdown next to "Search engine used in the address bar" and select Google. You can also set a separate default for the search box on new tabs if you want. Both changes save automatically. Edge may also show you a "Manage search engines" option where you can see all available options.
Add Google manually if it's not in the list
In rare cases, Google might not appear in your browser's search engine dropdown. Most browsers let you add it manually. Look for a button or link that says "Add" or "Manage search engines" near the search engine dropdown.
Click it and enter the following information: Name: Google, Search URL: https://www.google.com/search?q=%s. The %s is a placeholder — your browser replaces it with whatever you search for. Save the entry, then set it as default using the dropdown menu. After you add Google this way, it will appear in your search engine list just like the built-in options.
Verify your default search engine is working
To confirm the change worked, open a new tab in your browser. Click in the search box and type a question. The results should come from Google. You can also click the address bar at the top and type a search term — it should use Google as well.
If you still see results from a different search engine, go back to your browser's search settings and make sure Google is selected. Some programs or browser extensions can override your default search engine, so if the problem persists, check what extensions you have installed. Look in your browser's extension or add-on menu and remove anything you don't recognize or no longer use.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will changing my default search engine affect Google.com?
No. Your default search engine only affects searches you type in the address bar or search box. When you visit Google.com directly, you'll always see Google's website and search results, regardless of what your default is set to.
Can I have different default search engines for different browsers?
Yes. Each browser has its own settings, so you can set Google as default in Chrome but use a different search engine in Firefox. The settings don't affect each other.
What if a website or program keeps changing my default search engine?
Some browser extensions or programs can override your default search engine without asking. Check your browser's extension or add-on list and remove anything you don't recognize. You can also look in your browser's search engine list and delete any search engines you didn't add yourself.
Is Google the only search engine I can set as default?
No. Most browsers offer several options including Bing, DuckDuckGo, Yahoo, and others. You can change your default to any of these at any time using the same steps.
Why does my browser keep switching back to a different search engine?
Browser extensions, toolbars, or programs you've installed can change your default search engine automatically. Check your installed extensions and remove any you don't use. Some antivirus or optimization programs also modify search settings, so look in those programs' preferences as well.