Ever found Chrome’s default search engines limiting? You’re not alone. Learn how to customize your browsing by setting a custom default search engine in Chrome.
Whether you prioritize privacy with DuckDuckGo or seek video searches on YouTube, customizing Chrome with lightning-fast search results is easy. Let’s begin.
Table of contents
How to Add a New Search Engine in Google Chrome
Adding a custom search engine in Chrome is straightforward, but only possible on desktop, not mobile. Here’s how:
- Open Google Chrome on your Windows or Mac computer.
- Click the three-dot icon in the upper-right corner, then select “Settings.”
- Navigate to “Search engine” in the Settings screen.
- Under “Search engine,” click “Manage search engines and site search.”
- Scroll down to Site search and click “Add.”
- Enter details in the ‘Add search engine’ pop-up:
- Search engine: Name for the search engine.
- Keyword: Unique trigger keyword (e.g., “yt” for YouTube).
- URL: Website search URL with search term parameter. (e.g., https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=%s). You can find this information on the website’s help page or by finding their search bar URL.
- Click “Save” to finish.
That’s it! The new search engine has been successfully added to Google Chrome, offering seamless integration and easy access directly from the Chrome address bar.
How to Set a Default Search Engine in Google Chrome
What’s the point of customizing your search engine in Chrome if it doesn’t work by default? Here’s how to set the new or existing search engine as default.
On Desktop:
- Open Google Chrome on your Windows or Mac computer.
- Click the three-dot icon in the upper-right corner, then select “Settings” from the menu.
- Go to “Search engine” in the Settings screen.
- Next to ‘Search engine used in the address bar,’ choose your preferred search engine.
- Chrome changes its default search engine to your preferred one. If it’s unavailable in the drop-down, continue:
- Go to ‘Manage search engines and site search’ in the Search engine tab.
- Scroll down and click the three-dot icon next to your preferred search engine, then choose “Make default” from the drop-down.
That’s it! You’ve successfully changed your search engine in Chrome. If you need to change it on mobile, keep reading.
On Chrome Mobile App:
Changing the default search engine in the Chrome mobile app is straightforward, with the same steps for both Android and iOS:
- Launch the Google Chrome app on your Android or iOS device. Tap the three-dot icon in the top-right corner.
- Select “Settings” from the drop-down menu. Tap on “Search engine” under Basics.
- Choose your preferred search engine from the list.
That’s it! You’ve successfully set a default search engine in Google Chrome. Note that unlike on desktop, the Chrome mobile app doesn’t support adding custom search engines that aren’t already listed.
How to Remove Search Engines in Google Chrome
If you decide to remove an added or pre-existing search engine from Chrome, follow these steps:
- Open Google Chrome on your Windows or Mac computer.
- Click the three-dot icon in the top-right corner, then select “Settings” from the menu.
- Navigate to “Search engine” in the Settings screen. Under “Search engine,” click “Manage search engines and site search.”
- Scroll to the Search engines section or Site search section.
- Click the three-dot icon next to your preferred search engine, then choose “Delete” from the drop-down menu.
That’s it! You’ve successfully removed the added search engine from Google Chrome.
FAQs on Setting a Custom Search Engine as Default in Chrome:
Where can I find the URL and keyword information for a custom search engine?
Many search engines provide this information on their website or help pages. You can also search online for ‘[search engine name] custom search.’
Can I sync custom search engines across different devices in Chrome?
Yes, if you have Chrome sync enabled, your custom search engines should sync across your devices. Ensure that you are signed in with the same Google account on all devices and that Chrome sync is turned on in the settings.
Customize Your Search in Chrome:
Whether you prioritize privacy, academic research, or swift access to favorite sites, setting a custom search engine as default in Chrome can elevate your browsing experience.