Setting Google as your default search engine

Your default search engine is the one that runs a search when you type words into your browser's address bar or search box. Most browsers come set to Bing or their own search engine, so you have to change it yourself if you want Google instead. The steps differ slightly depending on whether you use Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge, but the process takes less than a minute in any of them.

The reason to do this is simple: you probably already use Google for searches, so making it your default saves you a click. It also means that when you search from your browser's search box (not the address bar), you get Google results instead of whatever the manufacturer chose.

Key Takeaways

  • Your default search engine runs searches when you type in the address bar; most browsers ship with Bing or their own engine pre-set.
  • Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge all let you change this in Settings, usually under a "Search Engine" or "Search" section.
  • Changing your default search engine does not affect your search history or any other browser data.
  • If you use multiple browsers, you will need to change the default in each one separately.

How to change your default search engine in Chrome

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 will see a list of search engines Chrome has detected. Google should be in that list. Click on Google, and it becomes your default immediately. If Google is not listed, you can add it: scroll down to "Other search engines" and click Add, then type "Google" as the name and google.com as the URL. After you add it, click on it to make it the default.

How to change your default search engine in Firefox

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 will see a dropdown menu showing your current default. Click it and select Google from the list. The change takes effect right away. Firefox also shows you which search engines are available in your search bar; you can add or remove them by clicking the icons next to each one, but that does not affect which one is the default.

How to change your default search engine in Safari

Open Safari and click Safari in the top menu bar (on Mac) or use the menu button if you are on iPhone or iPad. Select Settings or Preferences. Click the Search tab.

You will see a dropdown for "Search engine." Click it and choose Google. On iPhone and iPad, the setting is in the main Settings app under Safari, then scroll down to "Search Engine" and tap Google. The change is immediate.

How to change your default search engine in Edge

Open Edge and click the three dots in the top right corner. Select Settings. On the left side, click Privacy, search, and services. Scroll down to the "Search engine" section.

Click the dropdown under "Search engine used in the address bar" and select Google. If Google is not shown, click Manage search engines, find Google in the list, and click the three dots next to it, then select Make default. The change takes effect immediately.

What happens when you change your default search engine

Changing your default search engine only affects where searches go when you use the address bar or search box. It does not change your browsing history, saved passwords, bookmarks, or any other data. It also does not affect other browsers on your computer — if you use both Chrome and Firefox, you have to change the default in each one separately.

If you sign into your browser account (like a Google account in Chrome or a Mozilla account in Firefox), your search engine preference may sync across devices where you are signed in. This means if you set Google as default on your laptop, it might automatically become the default on your phone too, depending on your sync settings.

Why your browser might not be using Google even after you change it

Sometimes you change your default to Google but searches still go somewhere else. The most common reason is that you are using a search box on a website rather than your browser's search box. If you click the search box on a news site or shopping site, that site's own search engine runs, not your default. Your default only applies to searches you run from your browser itself.

Another reason is that you might have a browser extension that changes your search engine without asking. If you notice your default keeps reverting to something else, check your extensions. In Chrome, click the puzzle piece icon in the top right and look for any search-related extensions you do not recognize. In Firefox, click the menu and go to Add-ons, then Extensions. Remove anything suspicious.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing my default search engine affect my search history?

No. Your search history is separate from your default search engine setting. Changing the default does not delete old searches or change where they are stored. If you want to clear your search history, you do that in a different settings section.

Can I have different default search engines on different devices?

Yes. Each device has its own browser settings, so you can set Google as default on your laptop and Bing on your phone if you want. If you sign into the same account on both devices and have sync turned on, the setting may sync automatically, but you can turn sync off for search settings specifically.

What if Google does not appear in my search engine list?

Google should appear automatically in most browsers. If it does not, you can add it manually. Look for an "Add search engine" or "Manage search engines" option, then type "Google" as the name and use google.com as the search URL. After you add it, make it your default.

Does changing my default search engine cost anything?

No. Changing your default search engine is free and does not affect your browser's cost or any subscriptions you have. Google search itself is free whether it is your default or not.

Will my ISP or internet provider know which search engine I use?

Your ISP can see that you are visiting Google's servers, but they cannot see what you search for if you use HTTPS (which Google does). Your search terms are encrypted. However, Google itself keeps records of your searches if you are signed into a Google account.