Google Chrome Help

In Google Chrome, the address bar that sits at the top of the browser window (sometimes called the Omnibox) doubles as a search box. You can also use it to bookmark websites and see security information about your current webpage.

Here are all the ways you can use the address bar:

• Search the Web

  Simply type your search term in the address bar and press Enter to see results from your default search engine. You can use common search booleans such as AND and OR. Learn how to do searches with your default search engine or with other site search engines.

  Watch a short video on using the address bar as a search box

• Go to web addresses

  In addition to search terms, you can type in the web address of the website you're trying to reach, then press Enter. (If you accidentally typed in the wrong address, simply click the x icon at the end of the bar to stop the Google Chrome from loading the page.)

  

• Search your bookmarks and browsing history

  Whenever you type in the address bar, Google Chrome automatically searches your browsing history and shows you websites in your history that match what you've entered. The address bar can also automatically show you suggestions of related search terms and websites.

  Several icons in the address bar drop-down menu help you differentiate between the various results that appear:

  • A star icon appears next to bookmarked sites.
  • A clock icon appears next to sites from your browsing history.
  • A magnifying glass icon appears next to searches, including suggested searches if you have suggestions turned on.
  • A globe icon appears next to suggested sites, when you have suggestions turned on.
• Create a bookmark

  If you come across an interesting webpage that you'd like to revisit at a later point, click the star icon to create a bookmark. Learn more about adding bookmarks

  

• See the security status for the page you're on

  If Google Chrome detects that the site you're on will securely transmit data using SSL, you'll see the following signals:

  • The background color of the address bar changes to yellow.
  • The https portion of the URL appears in green.
  • A lock icon appears at the end of the address bar.

  If a SSL-secured connection can't be established, an alert icon appears at the end of the address bar. Click the icon to see more details.