{"id":13424,"date":"2010-06-04T22:21:18","date_gmt":"2010-06-04T16:51:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/?p=13424"},"modified":"2026-10-11T11:03:29","modified_gmt":"2026-10-11T05:33:29","slug":"add-background-image-to-google","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2010\/06\/add-background-image-to-google\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Add a Background Image to Google (Chrome New Tab, 2026)"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Want to add a background image to Google, like the beautiful photos on Bing&#8217;s homepage? In June 2010 Google let signed-in users set their own background image on Google.com, and we showed how. Google removed that option from its homepage in 2012, but you can still get a custom Google background in 2026: set it on Chrome&#8217;s New Tab page, which shows the Google search box over your own photo or theme. Here&#8217;s how.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-13428\" src=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-content\/uploads\/google-background.png\" alt=\"Add a background image to Google\" width=\"500\" height=\"305\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-content\/uploads\/google-background.png 500w, https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-content\/uploads\/google-background-150x91.png 150w, https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-content\/uploads\/google-background-300x183.png 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><strong>Quick answer:<\/strong> Google.com no longer supports background images, so the easiest way to add a background image to Google search is in Chrome: open a <strong>New Tab<\/strong>, click <strong>Customize Chrome<\/strong> (the pencil icon at the bottom right), choose <strong>Change theme<\/strong>, then pick a Google collection, tick <strong>Refresh daily<\/strong>, or click <strong>Upload an image<\/strong> to use your own photo.<\/p>\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_89 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6aeec27702811\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"ez-toc-cssicon\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #1a202c;color:#1a202c\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #1a202c;color:#1a202c\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6aeec27702811\" checked aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2010\/06\/add-background-image-to-google\/#How_to_add_a_background_image_to_Google_in_Chrome\" >How to add a background image to Google in Chrome<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2010\/06\/add-background-image-to-google\/#Use_a_Chrome_Web_Store_theme\" >Use a Chrome Web Store theme<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2010\/06\/add-background-image-to-google\/#Other_ways_to_get_a_background_behind_your_search\" >Other ways to get a background behind your search<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2010\/06\/add-background-image-to-google\/#What_happened_to_Google_homepage_backgrounds\" >What happened to Google homepage backgrounds?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2010\/06\/add-background-image-to-google\/#Frequently_asked_questions\" >Frequently asked questions<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2010\/06\/add-background-image-to-google\/#Can_I_change_the_Googlecom_background\" >Can I change the Google.com background?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2010\/06\/add-background-image-to-google\/#Why_dont_I_see_the_Customize_Chrome_button\" >Why don&#8217;t I see the Customize Chrome button?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2010\/06\/add-background-image-to-google\/#Can_I_change_the_Google_background_on_my_phone\" >Can I change the Google background on my phone?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2010\/06\/add-background-image-to-google\/#Does_a_custom_background_slow_down_Chrome\" >Does a custom background slow down Chrome?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_to_add_a_background_image_to_Google_in_Chrome\"><\/span>How to add a background image to Google in Chrome<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<ol>\n<li>Open <a href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/chrome\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Google Chrome<\/a> and press <strong>Ctrl + T<\/strong> (or <strong>Cmd + T<\/strong> on Mac) for a new tab.<\/li>\n<li>Click <strong>Customize Chrome<\/strong> at the bottom right of the page. A side panel opens.<\/li>\n<li>Click <strong>Change theme<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li>Choose a collection such as Landscapes, Art or Earth, or click <strong>Upload an image<\/strong> to use a photo from your computer.<\/li>\n<li>Switch on <strong>Refresh daily<\/strong> if you want a new Google background every day.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>The Google search box stays in the middle of the page, so it feels just like a Google homepage with your own background. You can also pick a colour scheme in the same panel, which changes the tab and toolbar colours to match.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Use_a_Chrome_Web_Store_theme\"><\/span>Use a Chrome Web Store theme<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>For themes made by artists and brands, click <strong>Chrome Web Store<\/strong> in the Customize Chrome panel, pick a theme and click <strong>Add to Chrome<\/strong>. To go back to the default look, open Customize Chrome and click <strong>Reset to default<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Other_ways_to_get_a_background_behind_your_search\"><\/span>Other ways to get a background behind your search<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Microsoft Edge:<\/strong> open a new tab, click the gear icon and choose a background or Bing&#8217;s daily image.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Firefox:<\/strong> on a new tab, click the pencil or gear icon to choose a wallpaper.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Bing:<\/strong> Bing.com still shows a new photo every day, which you can also <a href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2012\/04\/download-bing-wallpapers-for-desktop-backgrounds\/\">download as desktop wallpapers<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Your desktop:<\/strong> set your computer to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2021\/01\/change-desktop-background-daily-with-full-hd-wallpapers\/\">change its background daily<\/a> with full HD wallpapers.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_happened_to_Google_homepage_backgrounds\"><\/span>What happened to Google homepage backgrounds?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Google launched custom homepage backgrounds in 2010. You could choose from a public gallery, editor&#8217;s picks, your own computer or your Picasa albums, and the feature appeared on Google.com when you were signed in. Google retired it in November 2012 to keep the homepage simple. Today Google&#8217;s homepage only changes for Doodles, and fun Easter eggs like <a href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2021\/10\/google-gravity\/\">Google Gravity<\/a> are the closest thing to customising it.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Frequently_asked_questions\"><\/span>Frequently asked questions<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Can_I_change_the_Googlecom_background\"><\/span>Can I change the Google.com background?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Not on Google.com itself. Use Chrome&#8217;s New Tab page, which shows Google search over your chosen background.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Why_dont_I_see_the_Customize_Chrome_button\"><\/span>Why don&#8217;t I see the Customize Chrome button?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>It appears only on the default New Tab page. If an extension has replaced your new tab, disable it, or check that Google is your default search engine.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Can_I_change_the_Google_background_on_my_phone\"><\/span>Can I change the Google background on my phone?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Chrome for Android and iPhone doesn&#8217;t offer custom backgrounds on the new tab page, but you can choose light or dark themes in settings.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Does_a_custom_background_slow_down_Chrome\"><\/span>Does a custom background slow down Chrome?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>No. The image loads only on the New Tab page.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Want to add a background image to Google, like the beautiful photos on Bing&#8217;s homepage? In June 2010 Google let&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":13428,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_kad_post_transparent":"default","_kad_post_title":"default","_kad_post_layout":"default","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"default","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"default","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"_kad_post_classname":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[111],"tags":[49],"class_list":["post-13424","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-apps","tag-tutorials"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13424","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=13424"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13424\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":63789,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13424\/revisions\/63789"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/13428"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=13424"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=13424"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=13424"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}