Imagine a world without Google—hard to fathom, right? Google dominates the search engine landscape, claiming 76% of desktop and an astounding 95% of mobile searches in 2024. Yet, many of us unknowingly rely on it daily, even when using devices or browsers that don’t feature Google Chrome.

Your iPhone is a Google Machine—Unless You Change It!

Take your iPhone's Safari app, for example. It defaults to Google for all your search needs, and it's not by chance. Apple receives a whopping $20 billion annually from Google to keep it as the go-to search engine. But what if you're fed up with Google's AI-driven results and want to browse the old school way—through a simple list of blue links?

How to Switch Your Default Search Engine in Safari!

Good news! Changing your default search engine in Safari is a breeze. You can choose from alternatives such as Yahoo, Bing, DuckDuckGo, and Ecosia.

While Yahoo may be less popular than Google, it has been around since 1995—three years before Google’s official debut. DuckDuckGo, launched in 2008, stands out for its commitment to privacy—it doesn’t track your searches or store personal data. Meanwhile, Ecosia channels its profits into environmental initiatives, like planting trees globally.

Step-by-Step: Changing Search Engine in Safari on iOS

To switch to a non-Google option in Safari on your iPhone: go to Settings > Apps > Safari. From there, tap on Search Engine to reveal your choices.

Switching Search Engines in Microsoft Edge and Firefox!

Using Microsoft Edge? Simply tap the three-bar menu in the app, head to Settings > Search, and select a different search engine. Edge defaults to Bing, but options like Yahoo, DuckDuckGo, and Yandex await your selection.

For Firefox users, access your Settings by clicking the (…) button. Under the General tab, choose Search, and select Default Search Engine. Options include Bing, DuckDuckGo, Wikipedia, and even eBay. You can also add alternative engines that aren’t listed.

Yes, You Can Change Your Default Search Engine in Google Chrome!

And don’t forget about Chrome! You can modify the default search engine here too. Tap your profile picture to open Settings and select Search Engine. You’ll find Google, Bing, Yahoo, DuckDuckGo, and Yandex up for grabs.

Time to Explore Alternative Search Engines!

Many of us use Google without even considering alternatives, but as search engines evolve in the AI era, it pays to know your options. Break free from Google’s grip and discover a new way to explore the web!