How to make Google your default search engine on any major web browser
- You can make Google your default search engine on any web browser (desktop or mobile) in a few quick steps.
- Every browser lets you change your default search engine, so you can search with your preferred service right from the search or address bar.
- Most browsers (with the exception of Microsoft browsers) start with Google as the default, but if it's been changed, you can easily switch it back.
- In most cases, you can find the default search engine setting in your browser's Settings or Options menu.
- Visit BusinessInsider.com for more stories.
As car companies and airlines vying for your business like to say, you have a choice when it comes to how you travel. Likewise, you can choose which search engine to use.
If Google happens to be your favorite, you might want to make it the default for your web browser. No matter what browser or device you use, here's how to set Google as your preferred search engine.
Make Google the default search engine in Google Chrome
1. On your computer, open your Google Chrome browser.
2. At the top right of the window, click the three vertical dots (called a "hamburger menu") and choose Settings.
3. Find the Search engine section and choose "Google."
If you also want to set Google on your Android or iPhone's Chrome app, do this:
1. Start the Chrome app.
2. Tap the three dots at the bottom right of the screen and choose "Settings."
3. Tap "Search engine." Tap Google.
Make Google the default search engine in Firefox
1. On your computer, open your Firefox browser.
2. Click the three vertical lines (the hamburger menu) at the top right of the screen and then click "Options."
3. Click "Search" on the left side of the screen.
4. In the "Default Search Engine" section, choose Google.
You can also change the default search engine if you use Firefox on your Android or iPhone:
1. Start the Firefox app.
2. Tap the three dots (it's at the top right of the screen on Android and bottom right on iPhone) and choose "Settings."
3. Tap "Search" and then tap "Google." If it isn't already the default, tap "Set as default."
Make Google the default search engine in Safari
1. On your Mac, open the Safari browser.
2. Click in the search bar and then, in the left corner, click the magnifying glass.
3. Choose Google.
Dave Johnson/Business InsiderClick the magnifying glass in the search bar and choose Google from the menu.
You can also change the default search engine in Safari on your iPhone:
1. Open the Settings app.
2. Scroll down to Safari and tap it.
3. Tap "Search Engine" and tap Google.
Dave Johnson/Business InsiderBecause Safari is "built-in" to iOS, you specify the default search engine in the Settings app.
Make Google the default search engine in Internet Explorer
Fair warning: you shouldn't be using Internet Explorer anymore unless you absolutely have to - if you want to use a Microsoft browser, it's a good idea to use Microsoft Edge instead. And setting Google as your search engine is a great example of why:
1. On your computer, open Internet Explorer.
2. Click the gear icon at the top right of the screen and then click "Manage Add-ons."
3. Click "Find more toolbars and extensions" at the bottom of the window.
4. Find Google Search and then click "Add." To confirm, click "Add" again.
5. Click "Close" to close the Manage Add-ons window.
6. Back in Internet Explorer, click the gear icon and choose "Manage Add-ons" again.
7. Click "Search Providers" on the left side of the window.
8. Click Google Search and then click "Set as default" at the bottom of the window.
Make Google the default search engine in Microsoft Edge
1. On your computer, open Microsoft Edge.
2. Use the address bar to go to google.com.
3. Click the three dots (the hamburger menu) at the top right of the window and then choose Settings.
4. In the "Advanced Settings" section, click "View advanced settings."
5. In "Search in the address bar with Bing," click "Change search engine."
6. Choose Google Search and click "Set as default."
If you're using Edge on your Android or iPhone, you can make Google the default search engine there as well:
1. Start Microsoft Edge.
2. Tap the three dots in the lower right of the screen and then choose "Settings."
3. Tap "Advanced Settings" and then tap "Search Engine" (which is probably currently set to Bing).
4. Tap "Others…" and tap "Google."
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