Most web browsers set Google as the default search engine. However, some users prefer to follow other alternatives that suit their requirements or simply experiment with other browsers. If you wonder how to change the default search engine in Chrome or Firefox ? Then this article is for you.
Keep in mind that just as it is possible to change the search engine in the aforementioned browsers, you can also change the search engine in Opera . Read on to make the change in Chrome and Firefox.
What is a search engine?
A search engine or search engine is a system that allows the search and collection of information from different web servers. Search engines use robots or “crawlers” that act like spiders connecting with certain websites through links. Then, the contents of the pages are stored so that subsequent searches are faster.
What is a search engine for?
A search engine is used to review the entire Network and build indexes with the aim of showing optimal results to the user. A search engine can be very useful to solve simple doubts, find quick answers, find accurate academic information about research and reports, get business information, among other actions.
How does a search engine work?
A search engine works with crawlers or robots that through a technique called “Crawling” organize all the information they find and create indexes of the most relevant content.
In this sense, robots access the web page, collect site data, identify links, and pursue them. This procedure is repeated over and over again until the search engine finds all the available information and proceeds to index it.
The most popular search engines
The most popular search engines are Google, Bing, Yahoo, MSN search, and Ask.
- Google: Google is the most popular search engine because it has the largest number of users in the world. It has its own database and allows fast and advanced searches thanks to the powerful algorithms of this engine.
- Bing: Bing is another popular search engine on the web. It has the peculiarity of offering suggestions and wide alternatives in relation to images and information.
- Yahoo: This search engine stands out for its image search option through which you can select visual content according to color, size and type.
- MSN Search: MSN Search is a search engine that is characterized by granting ease and speed to user searches. In addition to the search engine, it has the alternative of email and the news section.
- Ask: As its name implies, Ask allows the user to ask a question and the search engine is responsible for displaying the most suitable answers.
Fortunately, in each of the previous programs it is possible to change the default search engine, that is the case with Chrome or Firefox.
Change the default search engine in Chrome
Before starting, it should be noted that Google Chrome is a perfectly configurable browser. In fact, it is possible to change the font and size of Chrome , in addition to many other options. To continue with the process of changing the search engine, keep reading.
First, locate the browser menu (the three dots) that is in the upper left. Then, select the option “Settings” and choose the “Search” section.
Afterwards, you will see a drop-down menu containing the names of the most popular search engines. At that time you can choose the search engine of your choice by clicking on the three dots on the right.
Add another search engine in Chrome
However, it is possible to add another search engine that is not on the list from the “Manage search engines” option. At the end of the list, there is the “Add” button ; you click on this button and from a new window you will be able to enter the name of the search engine and its URL.
And indeed, this is how the search engine change is made. On the other hand, remember that you can access the best Chrome extensions to increase your productivity and user experience.
Change the default search engine in Firefox
First of all, locate the browser menu (the three stripes) located in the upper right. Then, select “Options” and in the left part of the window choose the “Search” option. There you can see the default search engine (Google) and display the menu to choose another of the seven available search engines.
Change the search engine in Firefox
If your preferred search engine is not in the drop-down menu, you must click on the “Find more search engines” option , which you will find at the bottom of the window. In this way, you will opt for a new search engine to replace the default Google.
In addition to what was shown before, remember that it is also possible to change the home page in new windows in Firefox , another option to indicate the page that you want to appear when performing this action.
Changing the default search engine in your web browser can enhance your browsing experience by allowing you to use the search engine that best fits your preferences directly from the address bar. Here’s how to change the default search engine in both Chrome and Firefox:
For Google Chrome:
- Open Chrome Settings: Click the three dots in the upper-right corner of the Chrome window to open the menu, then select “Settings.”
- Search Engine Settings: Scroll down to the “Search engine” section.
- Change Search Engine: In the “Search engine used in the address bar” drop-down menu, select the search engine you want to use. Chrome offers several options by default, including Google, Bing, and Yahoo.
- Add a New Search Engine: If the search engine you want to use isn’t listed, you can add it by clicking on “Manage search engines.” Here, you can add a new search engine by providing the necessary information, such as the search engine’s name, keyword, and query URL.
For Mozilla Firefox:
- Open Firefox Options: Click the three horizontal lines in the upper-right corner to open the menu, then select “Options” on Windows or “Preferences” on a Mac.
- Go to Search Settings: Select the “Search” tab from the menu on the left-hand side.
- Change Default Search Engine: In the “Default Search Engine” section, you’ll see a drop-down menu where you can select your preferred search engine.
- Add More Search Engines: If you want to add a new search engine not listed, scroll down to the “Find more search engines” link at the bottom of the page. This will take you to the Firefox Add-ons website, where you can find and install additional search engines.
Remember, the steps might slightly differ based on the version of the browser you are using, so it’s a good idea to ensure your browser is up to date. Additionally, some browsers offer the ability to search with different search engines quickly by typing a keyword before your query in the address bar.
