---
title: "How to add a custom search engine to Chrome"
description: "When you add a custom search engine to Chrome, you can easily search your go-to sites or apps directly from Chrome. Here's how to do it. "
image: "https://images.ctfassets.net/lzny33ho1g45/4ZRJti28I3DV19yBKYzuCA/e0527e004e258b053b78be6fbc7b773c/chrome.jpg"
---

# How to add a custom search engine to Chrome

When you add a custom search engine to Chrome, you can easily search your go-to sites or apps directly from Chrome. Here's how to do it. 

Google Chrome's address bar doubles as a way to do a quick [Google search](https://zapier.com/blog/advanced-google-search-tricks/), but you're not limited to searching only Google. In that same bar, you can search any site or app without having to open it first. Type a keyword, hit tab, and you're good to go.

This is great if you search specific apps frequently—for example, [Gmail](https://zapier.com/blog/gmail-filters/), [Google Drive](https://zapier.com/blog/google-drive-browsing-features/), or [LinkedIn](https://zapier.com/blog/linkedin-search-limit/). But first, you need to add each site as a custom search engine. It doesn't take long, and the time it can save you really adds up. Here's how to add custom search engines to Google Chrome. 

**Table of contents: **

- [How to add a custom search engine to Chrome](#add-site-with-search-bar)
- [How to add a custom search engine to Chrome for a site without a search bar](#add-site-without-search-bar)

## How to add a custom search engine to Chrome 

Here's how to add a custom search engine to Chrome, so you can search any app directly from Chrome. 

1. Open a Google Chrome window.
2. Click the three dots stacked vertically (`⋮`) in Google Chrome's navigation bar, and click **Settings**.

3. From the main menu of the _Settings_ page, click **Search engine**, and then click **Manage search engines and site search**. Alternatively, go directly to `chrome://settings/searchEngines`.

4. In the _Site search_ section, click **Add**.

5. In the _Add search engine_ pop-up, fill in the following fields:
- **Search engine**: Add the name of the site. For example, `Allrecipes`.
- **Shortcut**: Use anything you want. By default, Google tends to use the URL. In my case, the default would be `allrecipes.com`. But to make my life easier, my shortcut is `recipes`.
- **URL**: This requires a few extra steps. Go to the site you're creating a search engine for, then search for something. I like to use something easy to spot, like `asdf`. Copy the resulting URL from the search bar. Then paste it in the _URL_ field of the _Add search engine_ pop-up, but replace the search term with `%s`. For example, the search URL `https://www.allrecipes.com/search?q=asdf` would become `https://www.allrecipes.com/search?q=%s`.
6. Click **Add**.

That's it—you've added a custom search engine to Chrome. 

**Here's how to search for something using your custom search engine. **

1. Type your shortcut in the Chrome address bar.
2. Press **Tab** or **Space** (both work the same).
3. Enter your search in the address bar.

Of course, this is just one example. You can use this method for any website with a search box, provided you can copy the URL. 

## How to add a custom search engine to Chrome using a site without a search bar 

Some sites don't have a search function, including the one you're looking at right now. That doesn't mean you can't add a custom search engine for it.

Here's how to get the search engine URL for a site without a search bar. 

1. Open a Google Chrome window.
2. Enter a sample search term in the Chrome address bar, followed by the site URL. For example, to search Zapier, enter `[search term] site:zapier.com`. Press **Enter** or **Return**.

3. Copy the resulting URL from the address bar.
4. Paste the URL in the _URL_ field of the _Add search engine_ pop-up. Be sure to replace the sample search term with `%s`.

## Automate your workflows from Chrome

Constant [context-switching takes a serious toll on your brain](https://zapier.com/blog/multitasking-stress/)—not to mention productivity. With [Zapier's free Chrome extension](https://go.zapier.com/install-chrome-extension/), you can automate critical tasks with the push of a button in Chrome—no tab-switching needed. Learn more about [how to use the Chrome extension](https://zapier.com/blog/automate-with-zapier-chrome-extension/) or get started with one of these workflows. 

**Related reading: **

- [The best productivity extensions for Chrome](https://zapier.com/blog/productivity-extensions-for-chrome/)
- [How to turn off notifications in Chrome](https://zapier.com/blog/block-notifications-chrome/)
- [How to customize Chrome](https://zapier.com/blog/customize-chrome/)
- [Chrome keyboard shortcuts you should be using every day](https://zapier.com/blog/chrome-keyboard-shortcuts/)
- [How to turn any website into an app](https://zapier.com/blog/how-to-make-a-website-an-app)
- [How to split screen in Chrome](https://zapier.com/blog/chrome-split-screen/)

_This article was originally published in September 2020 by Justin Pot. The most recent update was in November 2023 by Jessica Lau. _