Add ChatGPT as a Custom Search Engine

Adding ChatGPT as a custom search engine lets you open ChatGPT from your browser’s address bar by typing a shortcut and a question. You’ll need access to ChatGPT in a browser and a browser that supports custom search shortcuts; the exact setup varies by browser, and ChatGPT may not appear as a built-in search provider.

What You’ll Need

A desktop browser with a setting for custom search engines or site search shortcuts. Chrome, Microsoft Edge, and Firefox offer ways to create or manage these, though labels can change.
The ChatGPT website address: https://chatgpt.com/. If that address redirects or is unavailable in your region, use the ChatGPT web address that works for you.
A short keyword, such as gpt, to trigger the shortcut. You can usually use the service without signing in, but signing in may be needed for your account features and chat history.

Step-by-Step

Choose how you want the shortcut to behave. The simplest setup opens ChatGPT when you type a keyword and press Enter. It does not automatically send the words you typed as a prompt; you enter the question after ChatGPT opens. A browser that supports search-query templates may offer a more direct workflow, but ChatGPT does not provide a universal, documented search URL that reliably submits a prompt as a new conversation across all accounts and browser versions.
Open your browser’s search engine settings. In Chrome, open the three-dot menu, choose Settings, then look under Search engine for Manage search engines and site search. In Edge, open Settings, then Privacy, search, and services; find the address-bar search settings or the option to manage search engines. In Firefox, open Settings and select Search. The wording and location may vary, so use the settings search field if you cannot find the section.
Add a site shortcut or custom search entry. In Chrome or Edge, look for an option such as Add under site search or search engines. Enter a name such as ChatGPT, a keyword such as gpt, and the URL https://chatgpt.com/ if the form asks for a URL. Save the entry. This creates a shortcut to the site, not necessarily a search engine that submits your query.
Use Firefox’s available options. Firefox’s search settings let you manage search providers and assign keywords to supported providers. To open ChatGPT by keyword, you can also bookmark https://chatgpt.com/, then edit the bookmark and enter gpt in its Keyword field if your Firefox version provides that field. Save the bookmark. Type gpt in the address bar and press Enter to open the saved page.
Test the shortcut. Click the address bar, type the keyword you chose, and press Enter. If your browser requires a separate confirmation key such as Tab after the keyword, follow the prompt it displays. Confirm that the ChatGPT website opens and that the address bar has not treated the keyword as an ordinary web search.
Ask your question on the ChatGPT page. Type or paste your prompt into the message box and submit it. Review the response as you normally would. A shortcut that opens the site does not turn ChatGPT into the browser’s default search provider or guarantee that a prompt typed into the address bar is automatically sent.
Optional: configure a query template only if you understand its behavior. Some browsers let you define a URL containing a placeholder such as %s for search terms. This works only when the website supports the corresponding URL format. Do not assume that adding %s to the ChatGPT homepage URL will submit a prompt; it may simply open the site, show an error, or put text in an unsupported address. Use a template only if you have confirmed that the current ChatGPT interface supports it.

Common Mistakes

Expecting address-bar text to become a ChatGPT prompt. A custom site shortcut generally opens a page. It does not automatically pass your words into a new chat.
Using a made-up query URL. A URL with %s is not enough on its own; the site must accept that query format. Unsupported parameters can fail or behave differently after a site update.
Putting the wrong value in the keyword field. The keyword is the trigger you type, not the website address. Put the site address in the URL field and use a short, memorable word as the keyword.
Confusing a shortcut with the default search engine. You can keep Google, Bing, or another provider as your normal search engine and still use a separate keyword to open ChatGPT.
Assuming private browsing shares the same settings. Some browsers restrict bookmarks or extensions in private windows, and managed devices may reset or block custom settings.

Tips

Choose a keyword that is unlikely to appear in ordinary searches, such as gpt or askgpt, so it is easy to remember and less likely to trigger by accident.
Keep the shortcut pointed at the main ChatGPT website rather than a link to a particular conversation. Conversation links can be account-specific or stop working.
If you use more than one browser, set up the shortcut separately in each one. Search settings and bookmarks are not always shared, even when browser sync is enabled.
Use the address bar’s built-in help or the browser’s current support documentation if a menu label differs. Browser interfaces change over time.
Do not enter sensitive information into a prompt just because the shortcut makes ChatGPT faster to open. Follow the service’s current privacy and data controls for your account.

Troubleshooting

The keyword runs a web search instead of opening ChatGPT: Reopen the browser’s search-engine or bookmark settings and check that the entry was saved, the keyword is spelled correctly, and the site URL begins with https://. In browsers that use a keyword confirmation step, type the keyword and press Tab or follow the suggestion shown before entering anything else.

The shortcut opens the wrong page: Edit the saved entry and replace the URL with https://chatgpt.com/. Remove extra spaces or unsupported query text. If the website redirects, complete the redirect and check that the browser is not blocking it.

ChatGPT opens, but my question is missing: That is expected for a basic site shortcut. Enter the question in ChatGPT’s message box. Remove any unsupported %s template unless you have verified that the site supports it.

I cannot find an add button or keyword field: Search the browser settings for “search engine,” “site search,” or “keyword.” Some mobile browsers do not expose custom search-engine controls, and work or school administrators may disable them. Try the desktop version or use a regular bookmark instead.

The setting disappears: Check whether browser sync, a profile reset, a cleanup tool, or an organization-managed policy is changing your settings. Recreate the entry in the correct browser profile, or ask the device administrator if the setting is managed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make ChatGPT my default search engine?
A shortcut can open ChatGPT quickly, but it does not make ChatGPT a conventional web search provider. Keep a separate search engine for finding and ranking web pages.

Can I type a question in the address bar and send it straight to ChatGPT?
Not with a basic custom site shortcut. Direct submission requires a supported URL integration, and you should not rely on an unverified template.

Does this work on a phone?
It depends on the mobile browser. Many mobile versions do not offer desktop-style custom search shortcuts, so saving ChatGPT as a bookmark or adding it to the home screen may be the practical alternative.

Do I need a ChatGPT account?
You need internet access to open the site. Whether you need to sign in depends on the feature you want and the service’s current access requirements.

Will this shortcut sync to my other devices?
Not necessarily. Browser sync may carry bookmarks or settings between devices, but custom search entries and keyword behavior can vary. Check each device after syncing.

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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