How to change the default search engine in Chrome

Nowadays, Web browsers They've evolved so much that they allow us to customize virtually every aspect of our digital experience. One of the most important details is the ability to choose which search engine we prefer. Fortunately, it's fairly easy to change the default search engine in Chrome.

Although many users do not give it importance and limit themselves to leaving the one that comes by default (normally Google), there is a whole range of options for those looking for greater privacy, different results, or simply a change in their browsing routine.

What is the default search engine and why does it matter to change it?

Each browser brings with it a assigned search engine By default, when you enter a search in the address bar, instead of going directly to Google, Bing, or Yahoo, the browser takes that query and sends it to the engine assigned to it. This way, the results appear immediately without you having to manually visit the search engine's website.

For most, this detail goes unnoticed because Google usually the most common option in Chrome, Safari and Opera, while Edge and Internet Explorer prefer Bing, and some specialized browsers like Brave or others add DuckDuckGo for privacy.

However, Being able to choose your default search engine gives you control over the information you receive., how your data is tracked, and how much advertising or personalization you receive.

Reasons for wanting to change the search engine

Why would we want to change the default search engine in Chrome? Here are some compelling reasons:

• Privacy: Some users prefer search engines that don't track their activity, such as DuckDuckGo or StartPage.
• Personalization: Other search engines may offer different results, less advertising, or direct access to other platforms like Wikipedia.
• Integration Preferences: Maybe you spend a lot of time on Amazon or Twitter and prefer quick searches through those platforms.
• Forced changes: Sometimes your browser changes its engine on its own due to malware or unwanted extensions, and you need to get it back.

Whatever your reason, changing your default search engine is simple and reversible at any time. The steps vary depending on the browser and device, but the process is usually quite intuitive.

How to change the default search engine in Google Chrome

Let's see what are the most effective methods to change the default search engine in Chrome:

From your computer

1. Open Google Chrome.
2. Click the three vertical dots icon in the top right corner.
3. Select option Configuration in the drop-down menu.
4. In the left panel, click on Search.
5. Beside Search engine used in the address bar, open the drop-down menu.
6. Choose from the default options: Google, Bing, Yahoo, DuckDuckGo, or Ecosia.

If you want to use a search engine other than those listed, follow these steps:

1. From section Search, Click on Managing search engines and site searches.
2. Press on Add.
3. Enter the engine namea whirlpool bath, keyword (optional) and the Search URL %s instead of the query. For example: https://www.example.com/search?q=%s.
4. Click again on Add.
5. To set it as default, click the three dots next to the added search engine and select Choose as default.

Important tip: If you notice that your search engine keeps changing automatically, it could be due to malware. In this case, it's a good idea to run a security scan and reset your browser to its default settings.

From your mobile phone

• Open the Chrome app on your phone.
• Click on the three points in the upper right.
• Accede to Configuration and go to Search.
• Select from the available options (Google, Bing, Yahoo, DuckDuckGo).

The route may vary slightly depending on whether you use Android or iOS, but in both cases it is within the menu of Configuration from the browser.

Change the default search engine in other browsers

Mozilla Firefox

In the computer

1. Open Firefox and click on the three lines in the top right corner.
2. Choose Options o Configuration.
3. Click on Search from the left menu.
4. In the section default browser, use the drop-down menu to choose between Google, Bing, DuckDuckGo, Amazon, eBay, Wikipedia, RAE Dictionary, among others.
5. You can add extensions with new search engines by clicking on Find more search engines.
6. To remove a search engine, select it and click on Delete.

From the phone

• Open Firefox and access the three-dot menu.
• Sign in Configuration and touches Search.
• Choose your preferred engine and mark it as default.

Extra trick: On Android you can add custom search engines manually, by completing the name and URL with %s.

Microsoft Edge

From the PC

1. Open Edge and click on the three horizontal dots.
2. Sign in Configuration > Privacy, search and services.
3. Scroll to Services and select Address bar and search.
4. En Search engine used in the address bar, choose between Bing, Google, DuckDuckGo, Yahoo, YouTube, etc.
5. For engines not listed, visit the desired search engine, perform a search, and then return to Configuration and will be available for selection.
6. From Manage search engines, you can add, edit or remove engines with the same rules as URLs (%s).

From the phone

• Open Edge, tap on the three dots.
• Sign in Configuration and go to Default search engine.
• Choose between Bing, Google, Yahoo or DuckDuckGo.

Opera

In the computer

1. Click on the Opera icon in the top left corner.
2. Accede to Configuration and within Basic, go to the section Search.
3. On the menu Which search engine to use from the combo bar, choose one of the available ones: Google, Yahoo, DuckDuckGo, Amazon, Bing, Wikipedia.
4. To add others, click on Manage search engines.
5. You can add a new search engine by filling in the name, keyword and URL (%s).

From the phone

• Go to the bottom right menu.
• Go to Configuration > default browser.
• Choose from Google, Yahoo, DuckDuckGo, Bing, Yandex, Baidu, Amazon, eBay, IMDB, Wikipedia or Qwant.

safari

On Mac

1. Open Safari and access the menu safari on the top bar.
2. Choose Preferences and click Search.
3. Choose from the drop-down menu between Google, Bing, Yahoo, DuckDuckGo or Ecosia.

From the iPhone or iPad

1. Enter the adjustments Of the device.
2. swipe up safari and click on Search.
3. Select the search engine from the available list.

Nota: Safari doesn't allow you to add custom search engines from the settings, although you could look for extensions like Anysearch that add this functionality.

Tor Browser

From the computer

1. Click on the icon Menu and enters Preferences.
2. Find the section Search and select the engine you prefer from those available (DuckDuckGo, StartPage, Google, etc.).

From the phone

1. Press the three-dot menu and enter Global setting.
2. En Search Engine, choose between DuckDuckGo, Google and Startpage.

DuckDuckGo and StartPage stand out for their privacy-focused approach, with no tracking or ad personalization.

 

How to add or remove custom search engines?

Most major browsers (Chrome, Edge, Firefox and Opera) allow increase the variety of search engines manually adding other engines, following a standard structure in which you have to indicate:

• Search engine name (free).
• Keyword (useful for quick searches).
• Search URL where %s represents the query.

If you delete a search engine, you can delete any custom options from the search engine management menu (except for pre-installed engines, which are not usually editable or removable).

On mobile devices, this feature is generally more limited, with new search engines only available in some browsers and operating systems (especially Firefox for Android). Opera and Safari on mobile devices don't allow you to add custom search engines.

What default search engines are available in each browser?

• Chrome: Google
• Firefox: Google
• Edge and Internet Explorer: Bing
• Safari: Google (may include Bing, Yahoo, DuckDuckGo, Ecosia)
• Opera: Google
• Tor Browser: DuckDuckGo and StartPage as top privacy-focused options

In any case, everyone has the option to customize it (with the exception of restrictions in Safari and some mobile browsers).

Aspects to consider when choosing your search engine

Before making the decision to change the default search engine, it is advisable to stop and consider certain aspects:

• Most default options (Google, Bing, Yahoo) offer personalized results based on your history, login history, and previous activity.
• Search engines like DuckDuckGo and StartPage prioritize privacy and prevent tracking or the creation of a user profile associated with your IP address or device.
• Some engines allow direct searches within specific sites, ideal for more advanced users or those with very specific needs (such as making Wikipedia or Amazon your quick search engine from the address bar).
• If you're involved in SEO or digital marketing, you can take advantage of the option to test different search engines to analyze your brand's behavior, results, and visibility across different platforms.

These days, choosing your search engine from Chrome and its competitors is easier than ever, and while Google still dominates, it's just a matter of a couple of clicks to change it to try alternatives, improve your privacy, or simply out of curiosity to see how the experience works with other tools. Users are increasingly able to adapt their searches to what really interests them., and professionals will need to be aware of these constant changes in the online world.