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If you’re a fan of Dark Mode to reduce eyestrain when you stare at a screen, you’ll be delighted to learn that Google just announced it’s launching Dark Theme for its search pages. No need to be blinded by bright light when you’re in a dark room and want to search Google. You can use Dark Theme on Google Search and see your search results with the comfort of a dark screen.
About Google Search Dark Theme
Google announced this past week that in response to popular demand, it’s launching Dark Theme for its search pages on computers. Hung F., a Project Support Manager for Google, said in the announcement, “I’m thrilled to announce that starting today & fully rolling out over the next few weeks, Dark theme is now available for Google Search pages on desktop. Thank you for all your feedback on this forum letting us know that this was a feature you wanted to see!”
In setting up Google Dark Theme, you’ll be able to choose how you want to view your screen when doing a Google search. In Settings for Google Search, you can keep Light Theme (what Google Search has traditionally used), Dark Theme, or Device Default.
With the Device Default setting, the Google Search theme will “match the color scheme of your current device.” Presumably, that means if you have your computer set for Dark Mode at night and Light Mode during the day, the themes for Google Search will match those settings.
Don’t miss => Going Dark — How to Get Dark Mode on Your Devices and Apps
How to Turn On Google Search Dark Theme
To turn on Dark Theme for Google Search on your computer, you need to go to your Google Search Settings. There are three ways to get to your Google Search Settings.
First, you can go to google.com and click Settings at the bottom right corner of the screen.
Second, you can search for something on Google. On the search results page will be a gear icon
Third, you can go to the Google Search Settings page directly.
Go to Settings => Search Settings. Click Appearance in the Search Settings menu.
Choose from:
- Device default: Automatically match the color scheme of your current device
- Dark: Light text on a dark background
- Light: Dark text on a light background
After you’ve made your selection, click Save.
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What Else You Need to Know About Google Dark Theme
Google Dark Theme is rolling out over the next few weeks. If you don’t see the option for Appearance in Google Search Settings, you haven’t yet been given access to this new setting. During the next month, keep trying until you get access to Dark Theme. (As of this writing, I don’t have Dark Theme available yet in my Google Search Settings.)
According to Google, Dark Theme works on “Google homepage, search results page, and Search settings, among others.”
Google may be rolling out an even easier way to turn Dark Theme on and off. According to 9-to-5 Google, some Dark Theme users report seeing a sun icon on the Google Search page that turns Dark Theme on and off.
This new Dark Theme setting for Google Search is available on computers. Want Dark Theme on your mobile devices? Great news, Dark Theme became available last year on the Google app for Android and iOS (iPhone/iPad). See, Dark Mode now available on Google App (Android 10+, iOS 12+) to learn how to enable Dark Theme on the Google app.
Also see => 10 Free Apps to Help You Sleep Better — Infographic
Your Thoughts
Are you a fan of using Dark Mode on your devices to reduce the strain on your eyes? Do you have the ability to turn on Dark Theme for Google Search? Have you or will you turn on Dark Theme for Google Search?
Share your thoughts in the Comments section below!
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*Computer in Dark Room image (edited) courtesy of Getty Images via PicMonkey Pro
Hi Carolyn
I remember a couple of years ago I came a cross a website named blackle.com It is kind of Google just with background in black. It uses Googles Search engine and have been made to preserve energy an to be good for out eyes. Nice that Google now have made this feature as well.
Hi Thomas, Yes, Blackle does still exist but I imagine they will soon become obsolete with this new feature from Google. I hope you’re given access to Dark Theme soon so you can reduce the strain on your eyes when you use Google.
Hi Carolyn,
What a nice post! Keeping us up to date with the latest trends in technology. Before coming across this post, I used to manually dim the lights on my computer when it’s dark and brighten them when in a well-lit room. That being said, I’m yet to try out the new feature.
I also have two questions. Number one; you mentioned in the post that Dark theme works on Google Homepage, Search Results, and Search Settings. Does this mean if you get into a site via Google, the feature will be disabled?
Second question; assuming your computer is not plugged in, does the Dark theme consume a lot of power?
All in all, this is a worthwhile post that I will not hesitate to share with my friends and family so they can know technologically adept I am…lol
Hi Brian, Welcome to The Wonder of Tech. I’m so glad you found this article helpful and are sharing it with others.
Your computer may have a setting to automatically dim the screen so you don’t have to keep adjusting it manually. For Windows, check out the Microsoft Support Page: Change screen brightness in Windows 10. For Mac, see Apple Support Page Change your Mac display’s brightness.
When you turn on Dark Theme for Google Search and click on a search result, Dark Theme will not follow you to the new page. If the website has a dark mode, and you’ve already turned it on for that site, then you should see dark mode when you arrive at the site. I hope more websites offer dark mode to reduce eyestrain.
Dark Theme may consume less power, depending on your computer. Here’s a helpful article I found from Business Insider that explains when dark mode is more energy efficient: Dark mode can save battery, but only if your device has an OLED screen — here’s what you should know.