Stepping Away From Google: How to Make DuckDuckGo Your Default Search Engine in Chrome

In an age where privacy concerns are at the forefront of online discussions, many users are actively seeking alternatives to mainstream search engines. While Google has long dominated the search landscape, DuckDuckGo has emerged as a powerful and privacy-focused alternative. This article will guide you through the simple steps of making DuckDuckGo your default search engine in Google Chrome, ensuring your searches are private and untracked.

Why Choose DuckDuckGo?

Before we delve into the how-to, let’s briefly explore why many are choosing DuckDuckGo over Google:

• Privacy First: DuckDuckGo’s core principle is user privacy. They do not track your searches, personalize results based on your profile, or store your search history. This means that your searches remain entirely your own.
• Unbiased Results: Google’s search results can sometimes be influenced by your past browsing behavior and targeted advertising. DuckDuckGo offers consistent and unbiased search results for everyone.
• No Filter Bubble: Because DuckDuckGo doesn’t use your past search history to tailor future results, it avoids creating a “filter bubble”, offering you a broader range of information and perspectives.
• Clean Interface: DuckDuckGo’s clean and uncluttered interface is appreciated by many users who prefer a minimalist search experience.
• Transparency: DuckDuckGo is open about its data policies, offering users clear information about how their data is handled.

Switching to DuckDuckGo is a powerful step towards reclaiming your online privacy. Let’s get started.

Step-by-Step Guide: Setting DuckDuckGo as Default in Chrome

The process of changing your default search engine in Google Chrome is straightforward, regardless of the operating system you’re using. Follow the instructions below for your specific device.

Setting DuckDuckGo as Default in Chrome on Desktop (Windows, macOS, Linux)

Here’s how to make DuckDuckGo your default search engine on your desktop computer:

1. Open Google Chrome: Launch the Google Chrome browser on your computer.

2. Access Chrome Settings: Click on the three vertical dots (the ‘More’ menu) located in the upper-right corner of the Chrome window. This will open a dropdown menu.

3. Select Settings: From the dropdown menu, click on ‘Settings’. This will open a new tab with Chrome’s settings page.

4. Navigate to the Search Engine Section: In the left-hand sidebar of the Settings page, click on ‘Search engine’. Alternatively, you can type “Search engine” into the search bar at the top of the settings page. This will quickly navigate you to the relevant section.

5. Manage Search Engines: You will see the current default search engine displayed under “Search engine used in the address bar”. Next to this is a dropdown menu. Click on this menu to reveal a list of available search engines. If DuckDuckGo is already on the list, skip to step 7. If not, click on “Manage search engines and site search”.

6. Add DuckDuckGo (If Not Listed): If DuckDuckGo isn’t listed among the available search engines, you’ll need to add it manually:

   • In the Manage search engine window, click the “Add” button next to the “Site search” heading.
   • A dialog box titled “Add a search engine” will appear. Fill it out as follows:
     • Search engine: Type “DuckDuckGo”.
     • Keyword: Type “duckduckgo” (or any keyword you prefer).
     • URL with %s in place of query: Type https://duckduckgo.com/?q=%s
   • Click “Add”.

7. Set DuckDuckGo as Default: From the “Default search engine” dropdown menu, now select “DuckDuckGo” from the list. DuckDuckGo is now your default search engine.

8. Test the Change: To verify, open a new tab and type a search query into the address bar. You should see that your search results appear on DuckDuckGo instead of Google.

Setting DuckDuckGo as Default in Chrome on Android

To change your default search engine to DuckDuckGo on an Android device using Google Chrome, follow these steps:

1. Open Chrome: Launch the Google Chrome app on your Android smartphone or tablet.

2. Access the Menu: Tap on the three vertical dots (the ‘More’ menu) located in the top-right corner of the Chrome app. This will open a dropdown menu.

3. Open Settings: From the dropdown menu, tap on ‘Settings’.

4. Navigate to Search Engine: Scroll down the settings page and tap on ‘Search engine’.

5. Select DuckDuckGo: From the list of available search engines, tap on ‘DuckDuckGo’.

6. Test the Change: Open a new tab and type a search query into the address bar. You should see that your search results appear on DuckDuckGo instead of Google.

Setting DuckDuckGo as Default in Chrome on iOS (iPhone, iPad)

Changing the default search engine on iOS devices is slightly different, as iOS itself has a setting for the search engine used within the operating system and thus is tied to Safari. However, this also affects Chrome, since it uses the same core webkit rendering engine. You can follow these steps:

1. Open the Settings App: Find and open the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad.

2. Find Safari: Scroll down the settings list and tap on ‘Safari’.

3. Tap on Search Engine: Under the “Search” section, tap on ‘Search Engine’.

4. Select DuckDuckGo: In the list of available search engines, tap on ‘DuckDuckGo’.

5. Test the Change: Open Chrome and perform a search query. Your searches should now be directed to DuckDuckGo.

Tips for Using DuckDuckGo Effectively

Now that you’ve switched to DuckDuckGo, here are a few tips to help you get the most out of your new privacy-focused search engine:

• Bang Shortcuts: DuckDuckGo supports “bang” shortcuts. These shortcuts allow you to search directly within other websites. For example, typing !g [your search term] will search on Google, while !yt [your search term] will search on YouTube, and !a [your search term] will search on Amazon. There is a long list of these bangs available to search specific sites without leaving DuckDuckGo.

• Image Search: DuckDuckGo’s image search is as straightforward to use as Google’s. However, unlike Google, they do not store your image searches.

• Privacy Settings: Explore the privacy settings within DuckDuckGo to further customize your search experience. You can change various display settings and even control which search result regions you wish to utilize.

• Bookmarks: DuckDuckGo may not know your habits. If you have web pages you visit often, be sure to bookmark them, so that they’re always quickly accessible.

• Be Open Minded: DuckDuckGo searches may return slightly different results than Google for the same query. This is because they do not prioritize results based on your past history, therefore allowing more unbiased results. Be open to the new results and use them as needed.

• Provide Feedback: If you encounter issues or have suggestions, don’t hesitate to provide feedback to the DuckDuckGo team. They actively listen to their users and work to improve the search engine.

Troubleshooting

While the process of changing your default search engine is generally smooth, you might encounter a few issues. Here are some common problems and how to address them:

• DuckDuckGo isn’t listed: If DuckDuckGo doesn’t appear in the list of available search engines, make sure you have added it manually as explained in the steps above, using the correct URL https://duckduckgo.com/?q=%s.

• Settings revert: In rare cases, settings can revert. If you find Chrome going back to Google, try restarting your browser or even restarting your computer. If that does not fix it, a reinstall of Chrome might help resolve the issue.

• Browser extensions: Some browser extensions can interfere with search engine settings. Try disabling any search-related extensions and see if that resolves your issue.

• Outdated Chrome version: Ensure your Google Chrome is updated to the latest version. Outdated versions may have bugs that prevent settings from being saved correctly.

Conclusion

Making DuckDuckGo your default search engine is a significant step towards taking control of your online privacy. With its commitment to not tracking you, and not storing your searches, DuckDuckGo offers a refreshing alternative to traditional search engines. By following the simple steps outlined in this article, you can seamlessly switch to DuckDuckGo on all of your devices and enjoy a more private and unbiased search experience.

Don’t forget to share this article with your friends and family to help spread the word about privacy-focused alternatives! Every user that shifts their default search engine to DuckDuckGo helps create a safer and more private web experience for everyone.

Switch to DuckDuckGo today, and experience a better, more private web!

Disclaimer: This article provides information and instructions for changing your default search engine to DuckDuckGo in Google Chrome. Please note that technology changes, so always double check your current setup with this guide. This information is for educational purposes only and the author is not liable for any damage caused by the use of this information.