Google Search is finally officially getting dark mode on desktop

Google is finally adding an official Dark Mode to search on desktop, which lets those who prefer to avoid bright webpages complete their searches while bathed in inky gray (via 9to5Google). According to Google's support page, you can make changes by going to Settings > Search Settings > Appearance. There, you'll 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 may have to wait a bit: Google says the setting will roll out "over the next few weeks," as do many of its updates.

Google has been exploring dark mode for some time now - we noted it was in testing in February. To take you behind the scenes, we've since continued to test some staff members to randomly get and lose Dark Mode. Now, though, it's finally official.

9to5Google also reports that some users are seeing another quick toggle sun icon and that some have the option to enable the change in the mobile web version of Google. No change has been mentioned in Google's announcement.

Of course, you had options to search dark before now – you can darken Google using browser plugins or use themes on an alternative search engine like DuckDuckGo. Many of Google's Android and iOS apps, including the main Google Search app, have had dark mode for some time.

But making it officially available as a setting by Google will make it a lot easier for those who didn't have to go to the trouble of installing extensions or switching search providers. In addition, it will hopefully reduce the experience of logging on to a new device and trying to find something, destroyed with only a thousand sunlight. Maybe that's a little exaggerated, but hey - hail all darkness (and a little quality of life improvement).