Chrome uses Google as the default search engine, but you can switch to Bing, DuckDuckGo, Yahoo, or others in about 30 seconds

When you type in Chrome's address bar without a full web address, Chrome sends that search to whatever engine you've set as default. By default, that's Google. If you want searches to go to a different engine instead — whether for privacy reasons, because you prefer another engine's results, or because your workplace requires it — you change this in Chrome's Settings menu.

The process is the same whether you're on Windows, Mac, Linux, or Chromebook. You don't need to install anything or restart Chrome. The change takes effect immediately.

Key Takeaways

  • Open Chrome Settings, go to Search Engine, and pick a new default from the dropdown list — Bing, DuckDuckGo, Yahoo, and others are built in.
  • If your preferred search engine isn't in the list, you can add it manually by entering its search URL in the "Manage search engines" section.
  • Changing your default search engine does not affect Google's ability to track your browsing through other means, like Google Analytics or your Google account.
  • Some workplaces or schools use management software to lock the default search engine, in which case you'll see a message saying it's controlled by your administrator.

How to change the default search engine in three steps

Open Chrome and click the three-dot menu in the top right corner. Select Settings from the dropdown.

On the left side of the Settings page, click Search engine. You'll see a dropdown menu labeled "Search engine used in the address bar." Click it to see the list of available engines: Google, Bing, Yahoo, DuckDuckGo, and Ecosia are usually there.

Click the engine you want. Chrome saves the change immediately. The next time you type in the address bar, your new engine will handle the search.

Adding a search engine that's not in the list

If your preferred search engine doesn't appear in the dropdown, you can add it manually. In the same Search engine settings page, scroll down to Manage search engines and site search and click it.

You'll see three columns: Search engine name, Shortcut, and URL with %s. Click the Add button at the bottom. Enter the name of the search engine (for example, "StartPage"), a keyboard shortcut if you want one (optional), and the search URL.

The search URL is the tricky part. Go to the search engine's website, search for any word, and look at the URL in your address bar. Find where that word appears in the URL and replace it with %s. For example, if StartPage's search URL is https://www.startpage.com/search?q=example, you would enter https://www.startpage.com/search?q=%s. Click Add, then set it as your default from the dropdown.

What happens if your search engine is locked by an administrator

If you're using Chrome on a work or school computer, your IT department may have locked the default search engine. In that case, you'll see a message in the Search engine settings that says "This setting is managed by your administrator" or similar language, and the dropdown will be grayed out.

You cannot change this setting yourself. Contact your IT support or help desk to request a change, or ask whether you're allowed to use a different engine. Some organizations lock this for security or compliance reasons and won't change it; others will if you have a legitimate need.

The difference between your default search engine and your search history

Changing your default search engine does not delete your search history or prevent Chrome from storing it. Your searches are still saved in your Chrome browser history and, if you're signed into a Google account, in your Google account history as well.

If you want to stop Chrome from saving searches, you can turn off sync for your history (Settings > Sync and Google services > turn off "Sync everything" and uncheck History), or you can use Chrome's Incognito mode, which doesn't save history by default. Switching search engines alone does not give you privacy from Chrome or Google.

Why you might want to change your default search engine

Some people switch because they prefer a search engine's results — Bing's image search, for instance, or DuckDuckGo's focus on direct answers. Others switch for privacy: DuckDuckGo and StartPage don't store your search queries linked to your IP address, which means they don't build a profile of your searches over time the way Google does.

Ecosia is popular with people who want their searches to fund tree-planting projects. Bing is sometimes chosen because it offers rewards points for searches. None of these engines are "safer" in an absolute sense — they all collect some data — but they collect different data and use it differently.

If privacy is your main concern, switching search engines is one step, but it's not a complete solution. Your internet service provider, your employer (if you're on their network), and websites you visit can still see what you search for. A VPN or Tor browser provides more privacy, though both have tradeoffs in speed and convenience.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing my search engine affect my Google account or Gmail?

No. Your Google account, Gmail, Google Drive, and other Google services work independently of which search engine you've set as default in Chrome. You can use Gmail and keep DuckDuckGo as your search engine without any conflict.

Can I set a different default search engine for Incognito mode?

No. Chrome uses the same default search engine for both regular and Incognito browsing. If you want to use a different engine in Incognito, you have to type its URL directly or use a bookmark.

What if I accidentally set the wrong search engine and want to switch back to Google?

Go back to Settings > Search engine and click the dropdown. Select Google. That's it — you can change it as many times as you want, and there's no penalty for switching back and forth.

Does changing my search engine stop Google from tracking me?

No. Google can track your activity through Chrome itself, through your Google account if you're signed in, through Google Analytics on websites you visit, and through ads and cookies. Changing your search engine removes one data source but doesn't stop Google's other tracking methods.