Chrome uses Google as its default search engine, but you can change it

Google Chrome comes set to search with Google by default. If you want to use a different search engine — Bing, DuckDuckGo, Yahoo, or another option — you can change this in Chrome's settings in about one minute. The process is the same whether you use Chrome on Windows, Mac, or Linux.

You can also set a different search engine for the address bar (called the omnibox) than the one you use when you click a search box on a webpage, though most people use the same engine for both.

Key Takeaways

  • Open Chrome settings, go to Search engine, and pick a new default from the dropdown menu — the whole process takes under a minute.
  • Chrome offers Bing, Yahoo, DuckDuckGo, and Ecosia as built-in alternatives, or you can add any search engine you find on the web.
  • The search engine you set in settings controls what happens when you type in the address bar and when you click a search box on a webpage.
  • If you use multiple user profiles in Chrome, each profile can have its own default search engine.

How to change your search engine in three steps

Open Chrome and click the three vertical dots in the top right corner. Select Settings from the menu that appears.

On the left side of the Settings page, click Search engine. You will see a dropdown menu labeled "Search engine used in the address bar" with Google currently selected.

Click the dropdown and choose a different search engine from the list. Chrome offers Bing, Yahoo, DuckDuckGo, and Ecosia as standard options. Your choice takes effect immediately — you do not need to restart Chrome or click a save button.

Built-in search engine options in Chrome

Google is the default. It shows traditional web results and integrates with your Google account if you are signed in.

Bing is Microsoft's search engine. It emphasizes image and video results and offers rewards points if you use Bing regularly.

Yahoo uses Bing's search results but adds Yahoo's own layout and features. Yahoo also offers a rewards program.

DuckDuckGo does not track your searches or store your search history. It is a common choice for people concerned about privacy, though it shows fewer personalized results than Google.

Ecosia uses Bing's results and donates a portion of its revenue to environmental projects. Like DuckDuckGo, it does not build a profile of your searches.

How to add a search engine that is not on the list

If you want to use a search engine that Chrome does not list by default, you can add it manually. Go to Settings, click Search engine, then scroll down to the section labeled "Other search engines."

Click Add. A dialog box will ask for three things: the name of the search engine, a short keyword you can type in the address bar to use it quickly, and the search URL. You can find the search URL by going to the search engine's website, searching for any word, and copying the URL from your address bar — then replace that search word with %s in the URL you paste.

For example, if you search for "test" on a search engine and the URL is www.example.com/search?q=test, you would paste www.example.com/search?q=%s into Chrome's dialog box. Click Add and your new search engine appears in the list.

Using different search engines for the address bar and webpages

By default, the search engine you set in Settings controls both the address bar and any search boxes you click on webpages. You cannot split these two in Chrome's main settings.

However, some webpages have their own search boxes that use a specific search engine no matter what your Chrome default is. For example, if you visit Wikipedia and use its search box, you are searching Wikipedia, not your default search engine. This is normal and expected.

If you want to use one search engine for the address bar and a completely different one for webpages, you would need to use a Chrome extension. Search the Chrome Web Store for "search engine switcher" or "search engine manager" to find options.

What happens if you change your mind

You can change your default search engine as many times as you want. Go back to Settings, click Search engine, and pick a different one from the dropdown. There is no limit to how often you can switch.

If you delete a custom search engine you added yourself, it disappears from the list. You can add it again later by following the same steps.

Search engine settings for different Chrome profiles

If you use multiple user profiles in Chrome — for example, one for work and one for personal use — each profile has its own search engine setting. You can set Google as the default in your work profile and DuckDuckGo in your personal profile, and Chrome will remember both.

To switch profiles, click your profile icon in the top right corner of Chrome (it shows your name or a colored circle) and select the profile you want to use. Each profile's settings, including search engine choice, stay separate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does changing my search engine in Chrome affect other browsers?

No. Your Chrome search engine setting only affects Chrome. If you use Firefox, Safari, Edge, or another browser, you would need to change the search engine in that browser separately. Each browser has its own settings.

Can I set a different search engine just for private browsing?

No. Chrome's incognito mode (private browsing) uses the same default search engine as your regular browsing. The search engine setting applies to both.

What if my search engine does not appear in the dropdown list?

You can add it manually by going to Settings, clicking Search engine, scrolling to "Other search engines," and clicking Add. You will need the search engine's URL with %s in place of the search term.

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

No. Your Google account, Gmail, and other Google services work the same way regardless of which search engine you set as your default in Chrome. Changing your search engine does not sign you out or change any account settings.