Chrome uses Bing by default on some computers, but you can switch to Google in three clicks

When you open a new tab in Chrome and type in the search box, the browser sends your search to whatever engine it has set as default. On many Windows computers, Chrome defaults to Bing instead of Google. You can change this back to Google through Chrome's settings — it takes about 30 seconds and requires no extensions or downloads.

The steps are the same whether you use Windows, Mac, or Linux. You do not need to sign into anything or restart your browser.

Key Takeaways

  • Chrome's default search engine is set in Settings under Search Engine, not in your homepage or toolbar settings.
  • Google is usually listed as an option when ready; you click it once and you are done.
  • If Google does not appear in the list, you can add it manually by typing a search URL into the "Search engine used in address bar" field.
  • Changing the default search engine does not affect your search history, which Chrome stores separately in your account.
  • This change applies only to searches typed in the address bar or new tab page — it does not change search results you get from clicking links on websites.

Open Chrome Settings and find the Search Engine menu

Click the three vertical dots in the top right corner of Chrome (next to your profile picture if you are signed in). From the menu that appears, click Settings.

On the left side of the Settings page, click Search engine. You will see a section labeled "Search engine used in address bar" with a dropdown menu showing your current default.

Select Google from the list of available engines

Click the dropdown menu under "Search engine used in address bar". A list will appear showing the search engines Chrome has detected on your computer. Google is almost always in this list, even if it is not currently selected.

Click Google. The change takes effect when ready — you do not need to click Save or restart Chrome.

To verify the change worked, open a new tab and type something in the search box. You should see Google's search results instead of Bing's.

Add Google manually if it does not appear in the dropdown

If Google does not show up in the dropdown list, you can add it yourself. Scroll down on the same Search engine settings page until you see a section called "Other search engines". Click the Add button.

A small form will appear with three fields. In the first field, type Google. In the second field (the shortcut), you can type g or leave it blank. In the third field, paste this URL: https://www.google.com/search?q=%s

Click Add. Google will now appear in your dropdown list, and you can select it as your default the same way as described above.

Why Chrome might have switched to Bing

Chrome defaults to Google on most fresh installations, but several things can change this. Some Windows computers come with Bing set as the default because the manufacturer or your IT department configured it that way. Browser hijacker software — programs that install without clear consent — can also change your default search engine, though this is less common now than it was five years ago.

If you find that your default search engine keeps changing back to Bing even after you set it to Google, a program on your computer may be resetting it. Run a malware scan using Windows Defender (built into Windows) or a tool like Malwarebytes to check for unwanted software.

The difference between default search engine and search history

Changing your default search engine does not delete or change your search history. Chrome stores your search history separately, tied to your Google account if you are signed in. That history remains the same whether you search through Google, Bing, or any other engine.

If you want to clear your search history in Chrome, go to Settings, click Privacy and security on the left, then click Clear browsing data. You can choose to delete history from the last hour, day, week, month, or all time. If you are signed into a Google account, you can also manage your search history at myactivity.google.com, where you can delete individual searches or turn off activity logging entirely.

What happens to searches you make on websites

Changing Chrome's default search engine only affects searches you type into Chrome's address bar or the search box on a new tab. If you visit a website like Wikipedia or Amazon and use their search box, your search goes to that website's search engine, not to your default.

Similarly, if you click a search result link from another website, that click does not use your default search engine — it goes directly to the page you clicked. Your default search engine only matters when you initiate a search from within Chrome itself.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing my default search engine affect my bookmarks or passwords?

No. Your bookmarks, passwords, and all other Chrome data remain exactly the same. Changing the default search engine is a single setting that only affects where new searches go.

Can I set different default search engines for different profiles in Chrome?

Yes. Chrome allows multiple user profiles, and each profile can have its own default search engine. Go to Settings, click your profile name at the top, then repeat the search engine steps for that profile alone.

What if I want to use Google for some searches and Bing for others?

You can type a search engine's name directly into Chrome's address bar to search with it once, without changing your default. For example, type "bing: your search term" to search Bing without making it your default. You can also add multiple search engines to your "Other search engines" list and switch between them as needed.

Does this change affect Google Chrome on my phone?

Chrome on Android and iPhone have separate settings from the desktop version. To change the default search engine on mobile Chrome, tap the three dots at the bottom right, go to Settings, tap Search engine, and select Google from the list.