This is Part 2 of our guide. If you're new to the box, start with Part 1: what "Search Google or type a URL" means and how to use it.
8 smart ways to use the Chrome address bar
The box does much more than search and open websites. These tips save time every day:
- Jump to the address bar instantly. Press Ctrl + L (Windows) or Cmd + L (Mac), or Alt + D on Windows. Start typing straight away.
- Complete a .com address. Type a word like amazon and press Ctrl + Enter on Windows. Chrome adds "www." and ".com" for you.
- Open results in a new tab. Type your search and press Alt + Enter (Windows) so your current page stays open.
- Do quick maths. Type 18% of 25000 or 1500*12 and the answer appears in the suggestions before you press Enter.
- Convert units. Type 5 feet in cm or 100 USD to INR for an instant answer.
- Search your own tabs, bookmarks and history. Type @tabs, @bookmarks or @history, press Space, then type what you're looking for.
- Search inside a website. For many sites, type the site's name and press Tab to search that site directly.
- Use Google search operators. Type site:cliczeo.com seo to search only one website, put a phrase in "quotes" for exact matches, or add -word to exclude a word from results.
Tip for business owners: type site:yourwebsite.com into the box to see roughly how many of your pages Google has indexed. If the number is far lower than the pages you have, your site may have indexing problems. Our guide to Google Search Console shows how to check this properly.
Is it safe to type a URL directly?
Yes, as long as you type the address correctly. The main risks are:
- Typos: scammers register addresses one letter away from real ones (e.g. gooogle.com) to steal passwords or payment details. For banking, shopping or government sites, use a bookmark or search the name and click the official result.
- Suggestions from history: Chrome suggests sites you've visited before. Check the suggestion is the right site before pressing Enter.
- Check the address after the page loads. Look at the domain in the address bar and click the site-information icon to its left to confirm the connection is secure.
How to change the search engine
If you'd rather search with Bing, DuckDuckGo or another engine, you can change it. The box then says "Search [engine] or type a URL".
- Computer: Chrome menu (three dots) → Settings → Search engine → choose from "Search engine used in the address bar".
- Android: Chrome → three dots → Settings → Search engine → pick one.
- iPhone: Chrome → three dots → Settings → Search Engine → pick one.
If your search engine changed by itself to one you don't recognise, an unwanted extension or program may have hijacked your browser. See the fixes below.
"Search Google or type a URL" not working? Quick fixes
| Problem | Fix |
|---|---|
| Typing does nothing or the box freezes | Restart Chrome. If it continues, update Chrome: Menu → Help → About Google Chrome |
| Searches go to an unknown search engine | Settings → Extensions, remove anything you don't recognise; then Settings → Search engine to set Google again |
| Search engine keeps changing back | Settings → Reset settings → Restore settings to their original defaults; on Windows, run a malware scan |
| No suggestions appear as you type | Settings → You and Google → Sync and Google services → turn on Improve search suggestions / Autocomplete searches and URLs |
| New tab shows a different page, not Google | An extension has taken over the new tab page. Disable extensions one by one to find it |
| Pages won't load after typing a URL | Check your internet connection, then clear the cache: Settings → Privacy and security → Delete browsing data → Cached images and files |
Conclusion
The "Search Google or type a URL" box is faster and safer once you know a few shortcuts: Ctrl + L to jump to it, @tabs to find open tabs, and site: to search one website. If it stops working, a restart, an update or removing a bad extension fixes most problems. New here? Read Part 1 to learn what the box means and how to use it.
Want customers to find your business when they type into this box? ClicZeo helps Indian brands rank on Google and AI search. Book your free visibility audit →
