Change your search engine in Safari settings

Open Safari and go to the menu bar at the top of your screen. Click Safari, then select Settings (or Preferences on older macOS versions). A window will open with several tabs across the top.

Click the Search tab. You will see a dropdown menu labeled "Search engine" with your current choice highlighted. Click the dropdown and select from the available options: Google, Yahoo, Bing, or DuckDuckGo. Your choice takes effect when ready, and Safari will use that engine for all searches in the address bar from that moment forward.

Close the Settings window when you are done. The next time you search from Safari's address bar, your new engine will handle the query.

Key Takeaways

  • Safari's search engine setting is found in Settings > Search tab, where you can choose from Google, Yahoo, Bing, or DuckDuckGo.
  • Changing the search engine in Safari does not affect other browsers like Chrome or Firefox, which have their own separate settings.
  • The change applies only to searches typed in Safari's address bar, not to searches within websites you visit.
  • If you use multiple browsers on your Mac, you will need to change the search engine in each one separately.

Change your search engine in Chrome

Open Chrome and click the three vertical dots in the top right corner of the window. Select Settings from the menu that appears.

On the left side, click Search engine. You will see a list of search engines already available on your Mac, with your current default marked. Click the one you want to use instead. Chrome will switch to that engine when ready for all address bar searches.

If you want to add a search engine that is not listed, scroll down to "Other search engines" and click Add. You can then type the name and search URL for a custom engine, though most users will find one of the preset options sufficient.

Change your search engine in Firefox

Open Firefox and click the three horizontal lines (the menu button) in the top right corner. Select Settings.

On the left side, click Search. Under "Default Search Engine," you will see your current choice. Click the dropdown menu to select a different engine from the list: Google, Bing, Yahoo, DuckDuckGo, or others depending on your Firefox version. Your new choice takes effect right away.

You can also manage search shortcuts for individual websites further down the page, which lets you search a specific site directly from the address bar by typing its shortcut first.

What happens when you change your search engine

When you change your default search engine, only searches typed directly into the address bar or search box will use the new engine. Searches you perform within a website itself—such as searching Amazon or Wikipedia—will still use that website's own search function and are not affected by your Mac's settings.

Each browser on your Mac maintains its own search engine setting. If you use Safari, Chrome, and Firefox, you will need to change the setting in each browser separately. Changing it in Safari will not change it in Chrome, and vice versa.

Your old search engine remains available in the dropdown menu if you ever want to switch back. There is no penalty for changing your mind, and you can switch between engines as often as you like.

Why you might want to change your search engine

Some people prefer DuckDuckGo because it does not track your search history or build a profile of your browsing habits. Others choose Bing to earn rewards points through Microsoft's Rewards program. Yahoo appeals to users who want a different layout or results ranking. Google remains the most widely used option because of its search accuracy and integration with other Google services.

If you find yourself using a different search engine frequently, changing your default saves you from having to click through to it manually each time. You can always revert to your original choice if the new engine does not meet your needs.

Troubleshooting search engine changes that do not stick

If you change your search engine but it reverts to the old one after you close and reopen your browser, a few things could be happening. First, make sure you are changing the setting in the correct browser—Safari settings do not affect Chrome, for example. Second, check whether you have browser extensions installed that override your search engine choice. Some extensions automatically reset your search engine to their preferred option.

To check for problematic extensions in Chrome, go to Settings > Extensions and look for any you do not recognize or did not intentionally install. In Safari, go to Settings > Extensions and review the list. Disable or remove any that seem suspicious. After removing an extension, restart your browser and change your search engine again.

If the problem persists, try restarting your entire Mac. Occasionally a browser setting does not fully explore until the system restarts. After restarting, open your browser, confirm your search engine choice is still set correctly, and test it by typing a search into the address bar.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a search engine that is not in the dropdown list?

In Chrome and Firefox, yes—you can add custom search engines by going to Settings and finding the option to add a new search engine. You will need the search engine's URL format, which you can usually find on the search engine's website or by searching online for "[engine name] custom search URL." Safari does not offer this option and limits you to its preset choices.

Does changing my search engine on my Mac affect my iPhone or iPad?

No. Your Mac, iPhone, and iPad each have separate browser settings. If you want to change the search engine on your iPhone or iPad, you will need to do that in each device's settings separately. However, if you use iCloud to sync Safari across Apple devices, changing Safari's search engine on your Mac will sync to your other Apple devices automatically.

Will changing my search engine slow down my Mac?

No. Switching search engines has no effect on your Mac's performance. All major search engines operate at similar speeds, and the change is just a preference setting that tells your browser where to send your searches.

What if I want different search engines for different browsers?

You can do this without any problem. Set Safari to use DuckDuckGo, Chrome to use Google, and Firefox to use Bing if you want. Each browser maintains its own independent search engine setting, so you have complete control over which engine each one uses.

Can I change the search engine for a single website?

Not directly through your Mac's settings. However, in Firefox you can set up search shortcuts for specific websites, which lets you search a particular site by typing a shortcut in the address bar. For other browsers, you would need to visit the website and use its built-in search function.