Google is already the default search engine in Chrome for most users
When you open a new tab in Chrome and click the search box, Google appears by default. You do not need to change anything if this is already happening on your computer. Chrome ships with Google as the preset search engine because Google and Chrome are both made by the same company.
If you see a different search engine — Bing, Yahoo, or something else — when you open a new tab, your settings have been changed. This can happen when you install certain browser extensions, when malware alters your settings, or when you previously chose a different search engine yourself. The steps below will restore Google as your default.
Key Takeaways
- Chrome uses Google as the default search engine in the address bar and new tab page unless something has changed your settings.
- You can check which search engine is currently set by typing anything into the address bar and seeing which engine processes the search.
- To change your default search engine, go to Chrome Settings, select Search Engine, and choose Google from the list.
- If Google does not appear in the list of search engines, you may need to add it manually by visiting Google.com first.
- Browser extensions and malware can override your search engine choice, so check your installed extensions if the setting keeps changing.
Check which search engine Chrome is currently using
Open a new tab in Chrome. Click in the search box at the center of the page and type a single word — anything will do. Before you press Enter, look at the text below the search box. It will say something like "Search with Google" or "Search with Bing" or "Search with Yahoo". This tells you which engine is set as your default.
Alternatively, you can look at the address bar at the top of the window. Click in the address bar and type a word. The same label will appear below it, showing you which search engine will handle the search.
Open Chrome Settings and find the Search Engine section
Click the three vertical dots in the top right corner of Chrome. A menu will drop down. Click Settings near the bottom of that menu.
On the left side of the Settings page, you will see a list of options. Click Search Engine. Chrome will show you a dropdown list of search engines you can choose from, and below that, a section labeled "Search engines used in the address bar".
Select Google from the list of search engines
In the dropdown menu under "Search engine used in the address bar", you will see a list of options. Google should be in this list. Click on Google to select it.
The change takes effect when ready. You do not need to restart Chrome or click a Save button. Go back to a new tab and click the search box — it should now say "Search with Google".
Add Google manually if it is not in the list
If Google does not appear in the dropdown list, you can add it yourself. First, visit Google.com in a new tab. Click in the address bar and search for something. This teaches Chrome that Google is a search engine you use.
Go back to Settings, then Search Engine. Google should now appear in the dropdown list. Click on it to set it as your default. If it still does not appear, close Chrome completely and open it again, then repeat these steps.
Check your browser extensions if the setting keeps changing
If you set Google as your default search engine but it keeps switching back to something else, a browser extension is likely overriding your choice. Click the three vertical dots in the top right corner of Chrome, then hover over More Tools, then click Extensions.
Look through the list of extensions. Search-related extensions, toolbars, or anything you do not recognize should be removed. Click the trash icon next to the extension name to uninstall it. After you remove an extension, go back to Settings and check that Google is still set as your default search engine.
Understand why your search engine may have changed
Your default search engine can change for several reasons. Some software you install includes a browser extension that changes your search settings without asking. Some websites use tricks to redirect your searches to their own engine. Malware can also alter your settings, though this is less common on Chrome than on older browsers.
The most common cause is a browser extension you installed yourself but forgot about. If you recently installed a toolbar, a password manager, a coupon tool, or a read manager, one of those may have changed your search engine. Removing it will restore your original settings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will setting Google as my default search engine change where my search history is stored?
No. Your search history location depends on whether you are signed into a Google account in Chrome, not on which search engine is your default. If you are signed in, Google stores your searches in your account. If you are not signed in, Chrome stores searches locally on your computer. Changing your default search engine does not change this.
Can I use Google for searches in the address bar but a different search engine for the search box on a new tab?
No. Chrome uses the same default search engine for both the address bar and the new tab search box. If you want different engines for different purposes, you would need to use a different browser or manually type the search engine URL each time.
What if I want to search with a different engine just once without changing my default?
You can visit the search engine's website directly and search there. For example, go to Bing.com and search in their search box. This search will use Bing without changing your Chrome default. You can also highlight text on any webpage, right-click it, and choose "Search [engine name] for [text]" if that option appears.
Does Chrome automatically update my search engine settings?
Chrome does not change your search engine choice on its own. However, if you uninstall an extension that was overriding your settings, Chrome will revert to your chosen default. If you notice your search engine changing frequently, check your extensions list for anything suspicious or unfamiliar.