How To Add Custom Search Engine in Google Chrome [2026 Guide]

I am going to teach you how to add a custom search engine in Google Chrome. It is a great way to speed up your browsing and tailor it to your needs. Custom search engines let you create shortcuts for searching specific sites directly from the address bar, saving time and effort.

Add Custom Search Engine in Google Chrome [2026 Guide]

Open settings

Open Google Chrome on your computer. Make sure it is updated to the latest version so your settings are current. Click the three dot menu at the top right, then choose Settings.

If you are also personalizing Chrome, see how to add the new button with this quick customize guide.

Search engine section

In Settings, look at the left panel and select Search engine. This opens the controls for how searches work in Chrome and which engines you use.

Manage site search

Select Manage search engines and site search. This page lets you review existing entries and create new ones tailored to your preferences.

Scroll to Site search and click Add. A form appears where you will enter the details.

Enter details

Type the name of the search engine you want. For example, enter YouTube.

Fill the Shortcut field with a keyword you will type to switch engines from the address bar. For example, use YT as a simple shortcut.

Add the URL with a placeholder that Chrome will replace with your query. Use the %s token.

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=%s

You can enter the fields like this:

Name: YouTube
Shortcut: yt
URL: https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=%s

If you are improving Chrome for a faster experience, you can also block intrusive ads with this Adblock setup.

Save and set default

Click Add to save the configuration. Your custom search engine is now part of Chrome.

Find your new entry in the list. Click its three dot menu and choose Make default.

This sets your custom engine as the primary target for any query entered directly into the address bar. You can now send searches to YouTube with a few keystrokes.

If you want quick access to favorite sites on new tabs, learn how to edit the grid with homepage shortcuts.

Final thoughts

You have successfully created a custom search engine in Google Chrome. With a simple shortcut and the %s placeholder, you can direct searches to specific sites instantly. This small tweak makes everyday browsing faster and more focused.