How to Make Google Your Default Search Engine Across Browsers

Default search engines can change unexpectedly due to various reasons including software installations, browser updates, or system modifications. Whatever the reason, this guide provides instructions for configuring Google as your default search engine and maintaining that setting across different browsers.

Why Your Search Engine Keeps Changing

Before we fix this, let’s understand why it happens. Because if you don’t know the cause, you’ll be back here next month.

The usual suspects:

Free software bundles (Java, Flash, PDF readers)
Browser extensions gone rogue
Company IT policies (if using work computer)
Browser updates that reset preferences
Antivirus software being “helpful”
Actual malware (less common but happens)

The most frustrating part? Half the time you don’t even notice until you’re staring at Bing results wondering what went wrong.

Chrome: The Easy One (Usually)

Chrome should default to Google. It’s literally made by Google. But somehow, it still gets messed up.

Method 1: The Quick Fix

Click three dots menu (top-right)
Settings
Search engine (in sidebar)
Search engine used in the address bar → Google

Done. Unless it’s not. Then try method 2.

Method 2: When Quick Fix Doesn’t Work

Three dots → Settings
Search engine → Manage search engines and site search
Look for Google in the list
Click three dots next to Google
“Make default”

Method 3: The Nuclear Option

Google is completely missing? Add it manually:

Settings → Search engine → Manage search engines
Click “Add” button
Fill in:
- Search engine: Google
- Keyword: google.com
- URL: {google:baseURL}search?q=%s
Add, then make default

Method 4: The Hidden Hijacker Check

Sometimes malware adds fake “Google” entries. Here’s how to check:

Go to search engine settings
Look for entries like:
- “Google (Default)” but URL is wrong
- “Google Search” with tracking parameters
- Multiple Google entries

Delete all suspicious ones. Keep only the real Google.

The URL for real Google should be: {google:baseURL}search?q=%s or https://www.google.com/search?q=%s

Anything with extra parameters, redirects, or different domains? Delete it.

Firefox: More Steps Than Necessary

Firefox likes to be independent. Sometimes too independent.

The Standard Way

Click hamburger menu (three lines)
Settings
Search (in sidebar)
Default Search Engine dropdown → Google

But wait, there’s more…

When Google Isn’t in the Dropdown

Settings → Search
Find “Search Shortcuts” section
If Google is unchecked, check it
Now go back to dropdown, select Google

Adding Google If It’s Gone

Go to google.com
Click the three dots in address bar
“Add Search Engine”
Now return to Settings → Search
Select Google from dropdown

The Firefox Reset

If nothing works, reset search settings:

Type about:support in address bar
Find “Refresh Firefox” button
This resets everything to defaults
Warning: You’ll lose extensions and customizations

Safari: Apple Being Apple

Safari pretends there are other search engines, but really wants you to use Google anyway.

On Mac

Safari menu → Settings (or Preferences on older macOS)
Search tab
Search engine dropdown → Google
Close settings

That’s it. Apple actually makes this simple.

On iPhone/iPad

Settings app (not Safari)
Safari
Search Engine
Tap Google

The Safari Suggestion Problem

Safari might still show Siri Suggestions above Google results. To fix:

Safari Settings → Search
Uncheck “Include Safari Suggestions”
Uncheck “Include Siri Suggestions”

Now you get pure Google results.

Microsoft Edge: The Stubborn One

Edge really, REALLY wants you to use Bing. It fights you every step.

The Official Method

Three dots menu → Settings
Privacy, search, and services (sidebar)
Scroll all the way down
Address bar and search
Search engine used in address bar → Google

When Edge Keeps Switching Back

This happens. A lot. Here’s the fix:

Make Google default (steps above)
Immediately search something
Click the lock icon in address bar
Site permissions
Make sure nothing weird is allowed

The New Tab Problem

Even with Google as default, new tabs might show Bing. Fix:

Edge Settings
Start, home, and new tabs
New tab page → Customize
Turn off “Show search box”
Or set custom URL to google.com

Workplace Edge Issues

If IT locked Edge to Bing:

You probably can’t change it
Try installing Chrome as personal browser
Or use google.com as homepage

Brave: The Privacy-Focused Approach

Brave defaults to their own search. Here’s how to switch:

Hamburger menu → Settings
Search engine (sidebar)
Normal Window Tab → Google
Private Window Tab → Google (or keep DuckDuckGo for privacy)

Note: Brave in private mode might override this for privacy. That’s actually a feature, not a bug.

Opera: The Overlooked Browser

Opera exists, and some people use it:

Opera menu → Settings
Basic → Search engine
Search engine used in address bar → Google
Don’t forget to uncheck “Use search suggestions”

The Universal Nuclear Option: Browser Reset

When nothing else works, reset the browser completely:

Chrome: Settings → Reset and clean up → Restore settings to original defaults

Firefox: about:support → Refresh Firefox

Edge: Settings → Reset settings → Restore settings to default values

Safari: Develop menu → Empty Caches (then restart)

Warning: This deletes everything – bookmarks, passwords, extensions. Last resort only.

Preventing Future Hijacks

Here’s how I keep my search engine from changing:

The Installation Ritual

Every time I install software:

Choose “Custom” install (never “Express”)
Uncheck every checkbox
Read every screen
Decline all “offers”
Check browser after installation

The Monthly Checkup

First Monday of each month:

Check default search engine
Review installed extensions
Clear suspicious cookies
Update browser

Takes 2 minutes, saves hours of frustration.

The Extension Audit

Extensions are the biggest culprit:

Remove extensions you don’t recognize
Remove extensions you haven’t used in a month
Check reviews of remaining extensions
Keep only essentials

My rule: Maximum 5 extensions. More than that is asking for trouble.

Mobile Browsers: Different Beast

iPhone (all browsers)

iOS forces all browsers to use Safari’s engine, but search engines can differ:

Chrome on iOS:

Three dots → Settings
Search Engine → Google

Firefox on iOS:

Menu → Settings
Search → Google

Edge on iOS:

Three dots → Settings
Advanced → Search Engine → Google

Android

Chrome:

Three dots → Settings
Search engine → Google

Samsung Internet:

Menu → Settings
Search engine → Google

Firefox:

Three dots → Settings
Search → Search Engine → Google

When It’s Actually Malware

Sometimes it’s not innocent. Signs of search hijacker malware:

Search redirects through unknown sites
Can’t change search engine (grayed out)
Changes back immediately
Strange toolbar appears
Ads on Google homepage (real Google has minimal ads)

The Cleanup Process

Safe Mode boot:
- Windows: Restart holding Shift
- Mac: Restart holding Shift
Run antimalware:
- Malwarebytes (free version works)
- Windows Defender full scan
- Mac: Malwarebytes or CleanMyMac
Check browser extensions:
- Disable all
- Re-enable one by one
- Find the culprit
Reset browser (nuclear option from earlier)
Check installed programs:
- Uninstall anything suspicious
- Especially “search helpers” or “toolbars”

Company Computer Restrictions

If IT locked your search engine:

Options that might work:

Use portable browser on USB
Use google.com bookmark
Ask IT nicely (sometimes works)
Use phone for personal searches

Options that definitely don’t work:

Fighting group policy
Installing hacks
Getting angry at IT

They have their reasons. Usually bad reasons, but still.

The Quick Reference Guide

All Browsers – Quick Path

Chrome: Settings → Search engine → Google

Firefox: Settings → Search → Default Search Engine → Google

Safari: Safari → Settings → Search → Google

Edge: Settings → Privacy, search, and services → Address bar → Google

Brave: Settings → Search engine → Google

Opera: Settings → Basic → Search engine → Google

The Universal URL

If all else fails, bookmark this: https://www.google.com

Revolutionary, I know.

My Personal Setup

After years of browser chaos, here’s what I do:

Primary browser: Chrome with Google Backup browser: Firefox with Google Mobile: Chrome everywhere Extensions: Only 3 (ad blocker, password manager, grammar checker)

Monthly ritual:

Check all browsers
Clear cookies
Update everything
Verify search engines

Installation paranoia:

Always custom install
Screenshot settings before installing anything
Check browsers immediately after

The Bottom Line

Setting Google as your default search engine should be simple. It’s not, because everyone wants to be your default search engine. The key is vigilance.

Remember:

Check settings after every software installation
Audit extensions monthly
Know the correct settings path for your browser
Reset if things get weird

And if someone says “just use Bing, it’s pretty good now” – sure, it’s better than it was. But you’re here to set Google as default, and now you know exactly how to do it and keep it that way.

The internet is chaotic enough without your search engine changing randomly. Take control. Set it once, check it regularly, and search in peace.