I can't remember the last time I typed in a search engine URL. I type my queries into my browser URL field and let it do the right thing. When I want Google, I use "!g query" (because DDG is my default, and that's how you tell it to redirect the query to Google).
Under what circumstances do you type in the name of your preferred search engine?
When I want to use the non-default search engine (non-default is usually ddg). When trying a search engine for the first time. When using a public computer.
Biggest problem is on mobile. On Chrome (for iPhone), I have the following options:
1. Google
2. Yahoo!
3. Bing
I don't see any way to add a search engine not on the list.
This doesn't change the fact, but you really shouldn't expect anything else from a browser made by a search engine provider. They probably wouldn't even allow the other two options, if they could get away without monopolization lawsuit.
Under what circumstances do you type in the name of your preferred search engine?