How to Make Perplexity AI Your Default Search Engine in Chrome

This guide shows you how to set Perplexity AI as your default search engine in Chrome, so every search from the address bar goes straight to Perplexity instead of Google. You’ll need the Perplexity website URL and about two minutes—no extensions required.

What You’ll Need

• Google Chrome installed (current version, on Windows, Mac, or Linux)
• The Perplexity AI website URL: https://www.perplexity.ai
• An internet connection

Step-by-Step

1. Open Chrome Settings. Click the three-dot menu in the top-right corner of Chrome, then select Settings from the dropdown.
2. Go to Search Engine Settings. In the left sidebar, click Search engine. Then click Manage search engines and site search (this opens a new tab with the full list).
3. Add Perplexity as a Site Search. Scroll down to the Site search section. Click the Add button (or the plus icon).
4. Fill in the three fields. In the dialog that appears:
   • Search engine: Type Perplexity AI (this is just a label you’ll recognize).
   • Shortcut: Type perplexity.ai (this is what you type in the address bar to trigger the search—you can use any shortcut, like pplx).
   • URL: Paste this exactly: https://www.perplexity.ai/search?q=%s
5. Save. Click Add to save the new site search entry.
6. Make Perplexity Your Default. Back in the Search engine section, click the dropdown next to Default search engine and select Perplexity AI (the label you just created).
7. Test it. Close the settings tab, click the address bar, type a query (like best pizza in NYC), and press Enter. Chrome should open Perplexity with your query pre-filled.

Common Mistakes

• Using the wrong URL. If you paste https://www.perplexity.ai instead of the full search URL with %s, Chrome will open the homepage but won’t pass your query—you’ll have to type it again manually.
• Typing the shortcut wrong. The shortcut is case-sensitive and must be typed exactly as you saved it. If you saved pplx, typing PPLX won’t work.
• Forgetting to change the default. Adding the site search doesn’t automatically make it your default—you must select it in the dropdown as described in Step 6.
• Using a different browser. This method works only in Chrome. Other browsers (Firefox, Edge, Safari) have their own settings and may not support this exact procedure.

Tips

• Use a short shortcut. If you don’t want to make Perplexity your default, you can still use it quickly by typing your shortcut (e.g., pplx) in the address bar, pressing Tab, then typing your query.
• Keep Google as a fallback. You can add Google as a site search too (shortcut g, URL https://www.google.com/search?q=%s) and switch between them manually.
• Sync your settings. If you’re signed into Chrome, your search engine settings sync across devices, so you only need to set this up once.
• Use the “Ask” button. Perplexity’s search page has an “Ask” button that lets you refine your query—this works with the default search as well.

Troubleshooting

• Chrome says “This page isn’t working.” Check that you pasted the URL exactly, including https:// and the %s at the end. A missing %s is the most common cause.
• The default dropdown doesn’t show Perplexity. Make sure you clicked Add after filling in the fields. If it’s not in the list, try adding it again, then refresh the settings page.
• Perplexity loads but shows an error. This can happen if Perplexity is temporarily down or if your network blocks it. Try opening https://www.perplexity.ai directly in a new tab.
• Search goes to Google anyway. This means the default wasn’t changed. Go back to Settings > Search engine and select Perplexity AI from the dropdown, then test again.
• Chrome resets the default after an update. Chrome occasionally resets settings. If this happens, repeat Steps 2 and 6.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this free?

Yes, setting Perplexity as your default search engine is free. You don’t need a Perplexity account to use it, though signing in gives you extra features like saving chat history.

Will this affect my Google account or bookmarks?

No. Changing your default search engine only affects what happens when you type in the address bar. Your Google account, bookmarks, and other Chrome data remain untouched.

Can I use Perplexity as default on mobile Chrome?

No, this method only works on desktop Chrome. On Android and iOS, Chrome doesn’t allow you to add custom search engines—you can only choose from a fixed list.

What is the difference between Perplexity and Google search?

Perplexity is an AI-powered answer engine that generates a direct response with sources, while Google shows a list of links. Perplexity is better for questions that need synthesis, while Google is better for finding specific websites.

Can I set Perplexity as default for only certain searches?

No, the default applies to all address bar searches. However, you can use the shortcut method (e.g., type pplx + Tab) to use Perplexity only when you want, while keeping Google as your default.

Does Perplexity track my searches?

Perplexity’s privacy policy states it collects search data to improve its service, but you can use it without an account. For more details, check their official privacy policy.

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