Can't change my search engine from Yahoo to Google.

Just wanted to add my simple solve to this dilemma:

After all of these forums and all of the suggestions that didn't work, including deleting a bunch of things from the Library file, downloading malware programs, and of course trying to set the default search engine in Safari Preferences (which, no matter what I clicked in the drop down, was stuck on that goddam duck!), it was as simple as this:

Make Google my default search engine - Google Search Help

1. Open Safari.
2. Click the search bar.
3. In the left corner of the search bar, click the magnifying glass.
4. Select Google.

I hope this saves someone from the hours I spent on this frigging idiotic problem!

1. Disable Extensions and test.

Safari > Preferences > Extensions

Select extensions, uncheck boxes beside “Enable Extension” and test.

Enable Extensions one by one and test.

To uninstall any extension, select it and click the “Uninstall” button.

2. Safari > Preferences > Search > Search Engine :

Select your preferred search engine.

3. Use free Malwarebytes Anti-Malware for Mac/ AdwareMedic to remove adware

http://www.adwaremedic.com/index.php

Download, install , open, and run it by clicking “Scan for Adware” button to remove adware.

Once done, quit Malwarebytes Anti-Malware.

or

Remove the adware manually by following the “HowTo” from Apple.

http://support.apple.com/en-us/HT203987

I tried all the suggestions above, but none worked.

On the offending tab change the web page (Search or enter Webpage) to Google.com. Now open Preferences in Safari, click on "Set to Current Page". Problem solved.

Remove SEARCHTAB from extensions and it will work. FInally found the culprit.