Google Chrome will show desktop users in 2024 search engine selection screen

Google is testing a feature in the desktop version of Chrome that will automatically show users a selection screen where they can set their default search engine. The change should become available in early 2024, but only for European users.

The change is present in the latest Google Canary build, discovered X user Leopeva. The flag #enable-search-engine-choice has been added, which automatically makes the search engine selection screen appear. According to Ghacks, which has also tested this feature itself, the list consists of ‘some of the most popular search engines from the user’s region, shown in random order’. The search engines that users can choose from are therefore not the same in all countries.

When users click “Learn More,” Google states that this choice is made “based on a law in your region.” This probably refers to the Digital Markets Act, which will come into effect from March 2024. The Chrome browser has been designated as a ‘gatekeeper’ under this law and must therefore comply with stricter rules. From then on, browsers must let users choose alternative search engines, among other things.

It was already possible to choose the default search engine via Chrome’s settings, but from the beginning of next year every European user will automatically see a selection pop-up. A few years ago, Google added a similar selection screen for Android users.