Applied AI Tools

In this tutorial, we will show you how to set Perplexity as default search engine on Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Arc, and Safari.

If you love using Perplexity, you probably want to use it directly from your address bar without opening the website every time.

Are you tired of scrolling through pages of ads just to find a simple answer?

You are not alone.

Many people are switching from traditional search engines like Google to AI-powered tools.

Perplexity AI is different.

Instead of giving you a list of links, it gives you a direct, summarized answer with sources. It reads the internet for you.

Why Make Perplexity Your Default Search Engine?

Before we jump into the steps, here is why you might want to switch:

• No Ads: Get answers without dodging sponsored links.
• Direct Answers: Skip the “blue links” and get the summary straight away.
• Citations: Every fact comes with a little number you can click to verify the source.

Can you make Perplexity your default search engine?

Yes, absolutely.

Let’s see how to do it for each browser.

How to Make Perplexity Default Search Engine in Chrome

Google Chrome is the most popular browser, and setting up a custom search engine is easy if you know where to look.

The Manual Method (Best Way)

This method works without installing any extra extensions.

1. Open Settings: Click the three dots in the top-right corner of Chrome and select Settings.

2. Search Engine Menu: On the left sidebar, click on Search Engine.

3. Manage Engines: Click on Manage search engines and site search.’

4. Add New Site: Scroll down to the “Site search” section and click the Add button.

5. Fill in the Details:

• Name: Perplexity
• Shortcut: @p (or just “p”)
• URL with %s in place of query: https://www.perplexity.ai/search?q=%s

6. Make it Default: Click Add. Now, find “Perplexity” in your list, click the three dots next to it, and select Make default.

Now, whenever you type @p and enter in your top address bar, it will search Perplexity directly!

How to Make Perplexity Default Search Engine in Microsoft Edge Browser

Microsoft Edge is built on the same technology as Chrome, so the process is very similar.

1. Go to Settings: Click the three dots (top right) and choose Settings.

2. Privacy & Search: Click on Privacy, search, and services in the left menu.

3. Search and connected experience: Scroll all the way to the bottom and click on Search and connected experience.

4. Address Bar: Scroll all the way to the bottom and click on Address bar and search.

5. Search Engines: Click on search engines.

6. Add Perplexity: Click the Add button and enter these details:

• Search engine: Perplexity
• Keyword: @p
• URL with %s in place of query: https://www.perplexity.ai/search?q=%s

7. Set as Default: Find Perplexity in the list, click the three dots, and choose Make default.

How to Make Perplexity Default Search Engine in Arc Browser

If you use the Arc browser, you are in luck. Arc is designed for the modern web and has built-in support for Perplexity. This is the easiest browser to configure.

1. Open Settings: Press Cmd + , (Command and Comma) on your Mac to open settings, or click the Arc icon in the top left.

2. Go to Profile: Click on the preferred Profile tab (it looks like a little badge).

3. Search Settings: Look for the Default Search Engine option.

4. Select Perplexity: simply click the dropdown menu and choose Perplexity from the list.

That’s it! Arc often supports this natively, so you don’t need to type any complex code.

How to Make Perplexity Default Search Engine in Firefox Browser

Firefox handles custom search engines a bit differently. You usually need an extension or a specific setting tweak.

1. Open Settings: Click the three lines (menu) and go to Settings.

2. Search: Click Search on the left.

3. Default Search Engine: Check the dropdown menu under “Default Search Engine.” If Perplexity is there, select it.

How to Make Perplexity Default Search Engine in Safari

Safari is the strictest browser. It does not allow you to add custom search engines manually like Chrome or Edge. Nonetheless, there is a workaround using a free browser extension.

1. Download an Extension: You need an extension like “xSearch” (for Mac/iOS) from the App Store.
2. Open xSearch: Launch the app after installing.
3. Add Engine: Create a new search engine in the app.

• Name: Perplexity
• Shortcut: p
• URL: https://www.perplexity.ai/search?q=%s

4. Save: Save your settings.
5. Enable: Go to Safari Settings > Extensions and enable xSearch.

Now, when you type “p [space] your question” in the Safari bar, it will redirect to Perplexity. This is currently the only way to learn how to make perplexity default search engine in safari effectively.

Should You Replace Google with Perplexity as Your Default Search Engine?

Before you make Perplexity your default search engine, it’s important to decide whether it fits your daily workflow.

Switch to Perplexity If:

• You research frequently (students, analysts, marketers)
• You want summarized answers instead of blue links
• You verify sources often
• You are tired of ads dominating Google results
• You prefer AI-powered search over manual browsing

Don’t Replace Google If:

• You rely heavily on Google Maps
• You shop visually using Google Shopping
• You search for images daily
• You depend on local business listings
• You need quick one-word definitions

Bottom Line: Perplexity is a powerful AI search engine. It works best as a research-focused default search engine. It is not necessarily a full Google replacement for every task.

How to Use Perplexity Faster from the Address Bar (Pro Tips)

Once you set Perplexity as the default search engine, speed becomes your biggest advantage.

Use a Single-Letter Shortcut

Instead of typing long commands, assign:

• p as your shortcut keyword.

Then type:

p best CRM for startups 2026

and press Enter.

This makes Perplexity search instantly from your browser bar.

Use Advanced Search Prompts

Perplexity works best with structured queries.

Instead of:

best laptops

Try:

Compare best laptops under $1,000 in 2026 with pros and cons and sources.

Instead of:

AI news

Try:

Summarize the latest AI news today with citations.

Structured prompts = better AI search results.

Use Time-Sensitive Keywords

Add words like:

• “latest”
• “today”
• “2026”
• “recent”

This forces Perplexity to rank live search results.

Limitations of Using Perplexity as Default Search Engine

No AI search engine is perfect. Before replacing Google, understand the trade-offs.

Slower for Quick Lookups

For simple searches like:

weather
calculator
5 USD to INR

Google may still be faster.

Weak for Image Search

Perplexity does not compete with Google Images for visual discovery.

Limited Local Search

Google still dominates for:

• Nearby restaurants
• Local services
• Maps integration

Shopping Experience Is Different

Perplexity summarizes reviews but doesn’t offer:

• Rich shopping ads
• Visual product grids
• Local inventory results

For product research → Perplexity is better.
For buying → Google may still win.

What to Do If Perplexity Doesn’t Appear in Search Settings

If you can’t set Perplexity as your default search engine, try:

• Double-check the URL format: https://www.perplexity.ai/search?q=%s
• Make sure %s is included (required for dynamic search queries)
• Restart your browser
• Clear cache
• Update browser to latest version
• Remove duplicate custom search engines

If it still fails, reset browser search settings and try again.

Privacy Implications of Using Perplexity as Default Search Engine

When you make Perplexity your default search engine:

• Every search query is processed through Perplexity servers.
• Queries may be logged for quality monitoring.
• AI models from third parties (OpenAI, Anthropic) may process requests.

Unlike DuckDuckGo, Perplexity is not anonymous-first.

If privacy is a concern:

• Review account settings
• Turn off history if possible
• Avoid entering sensitive personal data

AI search engines focus on performance, not anonymity.

How to Revert Back to Google as Default Search Engine from Perplexity

If you decide Perplexity is not for you:

Chrome:

• Settings → Search Engine → Change default to Google
  

Edge:

• Settings → Address bar and search → Select Google
  

Firefox:

• Settings → Search → Choose Google
  

Safari:

• Settings → Search Engine → Select Google
  

Switching back takes less than 30 seconds.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on Making Perplexity a Default Browser

1. How do I make Perplexity my default search engine?
   
   You need to go into your browser’s settings (Chrome, Edge, etc.), find the “Search Engine” or “Address Bar” section, and add Perplexity manually using the URL https://www.perplexity.ai/search?q=%s.
   
2. How to use Perplexity instead of Google?
   
   Once you set it as default, simply type your question into the top address bar of your browser and hit Enter. You don’t need to visit Google.com anymore.
   
3. How to set Perplexity as default search engine in Edge?
   
   Go to Settings > Privacy, search, and services > Address bar and search > Manage search engines. Click “Add,” enter the Perplexity details, and then set it as default.
   
4. Does Arc use Perplexity?
   
   Yes, Arc browser has native integration. You can select Perplexity as your default engine directly from the Profile settings without adding any URL codes.
   
5. How to change default search engine on MS Edge?
   
   Navigate to the “Address bar and search” section inside the Privacy settings. From there, you can choose Google, Bing, or add a custom one like Perplexity.
   
6. Does Perplexity work with Safari?
   
   Yes, the website works perfectly. However, to make it the default address bar search, you need a third-party extension like xSearch because Safari doesn’t allow custom search engines natively.
   
7. How do I change the default search engine in Safari?
   
   Go to Safari > Settings (or Preferences) > Search. You can pick from Google, Yahoo, Bing, DuckDuckGo, or Ecosia. To add Perplexity, you must use an extension.
   
8. What is the default search engine used by Mozilla Firefox?
   
   By default, Firefox usually uses Google. You can change this in the Settings > Search menu.
   
9. How to change default search engine on Firefox?
   
   Go to Settings > Search. Under “Default Search Engine,” use the dropdown menu to pick your preferred one. If Perplexity isn’t listed, you may need to add it while visiting the site or use an add-on.
   
10. Can you make Perplexity your default search engine on mobile?
    
    On Android (Chrome), you can usually add it if you visit the site often; it may appear in your settings. On iOS (Safari), you are limited to Apple’s preset list unless you use a third-party extension like xSearch.

Check out more Perplexity Hacks on AppliedAI Tools

Make the most of Perplexity for your personal or workplace productivity:

• How to Find Perplexity History on Desktop and Spaces?
• How to Use Perplexity for Math? + Example Prompts
• Perplexity App Not Working? FAQs Solved + 5 Alternatives
• Can’t Add Perplexity AI to WhatsApp? – 2026 Fix and Alternatives

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