Google search finally officially gets dark mode on the desktop

Google is finally adding an official dark mode for searching on desktops, allowing those who prefer to avoid bright web pages to complete their searches while bathed in inky gray (via 9to5Google). According to Google’s support page, you can make the change by going to Settings> Search settings> Appearance. There you will be able to choose light, dark or device default, which will automatically follow your computer’s mode. If you don’t see the Appearance option, you might have to wait a bit: Google says the setting will be “rolled out over the next few weeks,” as many of its updates do.

Google has been playing with dark mode search for some time now – we noted that it was in testing in February. To take you behind the scenes a bit, since then we’ve had a few staff who randomly got and lost Dark Mode as the test continued. Now, however, it’s finally official.

9to5Google Also reports that some users see another quick toggle sun icon and a few have the option to activate the change on the mobile web version of Google. No changes are mentioned in Google’s announcement.

Of course, you’ve had options for doing a dark search before – you could turn off Google using browser plugins or use themes on alternative search engines like DuckDuckGo. Many of Google’s Android and iOS apps, including the main Google search app, have also had dark mode for some time now.

But Google making it officially available as a setting will make it a lot easier for those who just couldn’t bother installing an extension or switching search providers. Plus, it will hopefully alleviate the experience of logging into a new device and trying to search for something, only to then be blown up by the light of a thousand suns. It might be a little hyperbolic, but hey – all hail the obscurity (and the small improvements in quality of life).