How to Delete Your Search History on Google

Edited 1 week ago by ExtremeHow Editorial Team

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Deleting your search history on Google can help you protect your privacy and keep your information secure. This guide will walk you through the steps to delete your search history. The steps are simple, and we'll also include instructions for managing your activity settings and deleting activity from other Google services.

1. Understanding Google search history

When you search for something on Google, the query is recorded as part of your search history. Google keeps track of your searches to improve future search results and provide a personalized experience. Your search history is tied to your Google account and can be accessed from any device where you are logged in.

Benefits and drawbacks of search history

• Benefits: Personalized search results, better suggestions, and quick access to previous searches.
• Drawbacks: Privacy concerns, potential data breaches, and personalized ads based on search activity.

2. How to access your Google search history

To delete your search history, you'll first need to access it. Follow these steps:

1. Open your web browser and go to Google.
2. Make sure you're logged into your Google account.
3. Click your profile picture or initial in the upper-right corner of the page.
4. Select Manage your Google Account from the dropdown menu.
5. In the left-hand menu, click Data & Privacy.
6. Scroll down to the History settings section and click Web & App Activity.
7. Click Manage all web & app activity to view your search history.

3. How to delete your Google search history

Once you access your search history, you can delete specific items or your entire search history.

Deleting specific search items

To delete individual search entries:

1. In the Web & App Activity page, scroll through your activity to find the specific search entry you want to delete.
2. Click on the three dots (more options) next to the search entry.
3. Select Delete from the dropdown menu.
4. Confirm the deletion if prompted.

Delete your entire search history

To delete your entire search history:

1. In the Web & App Activity page, click on the three dots (More options) in the top right corner.
2. Select Delete Activity from the dropdown menu.
3. Select the All Time option to delete all search history.
4. Confirm the deletion if prompted.

4. Managing your activity controls

In addition to deleting your search history, you can also manage your Activity Controls to limit what Google records. Follow these steps to update your settings:

1. On the Web & App Activity page, click the Activity controls link.
2. Here, you can see options for Web & App Activity, Location History, and YouTube History.
3. Turn off any activity controls you don't want Google to track.

5. Using incognito mode in your browser

Another way to ensure that your search history is not recorded is to use incognito mode (also known as private browsing) in your web browser. When you use incognito mode, your search history and browsing data is not saved to your device or Google account.

How to open incognito mode

To use Incognito mode:

• Google Chrome: Click the three dots in the top-right corner and select New Incognito Window.
• Mozilla Firefox: Click the three lines in the upper-right corner and select New Private Window.
• Safari: Click File in the menu bar and choose New Private Window.
• Microsoft Edge: Click the three dots in the top-right corner and select New InPrivate Window.

6. Delete other types of Google activity

In addition to search history, Google also keeps track of other activities such as YouTube history, location history, and voice and audio activity. To delete these, follow these steps:

Deleting YouTube history

1. Go to the YouTube website.
2. Click on your profile picture in the top right corner.
3. Select your data in YouTube.
4. Click Manage your YouTube watch history.
5. Click the three dots next to entries to delete specific items or select Delete activity to delete all.

Deleting location history

1. Open your web browser and go to Google Maps Timeline.
2. Click the gear icon (Settings) and select Delete all location history.
3. Confirm the deletion if prompted.

Remove voice and audio activity

1. Go to the Data & Privacy section of your Google Account.
2. Scroll down to the History Settings section.
3. Click Voice & Audio Activity.
4. Select Manage all voice and audio activity.
5. Click the three dots next to entries to delete specific items or select Delete activity to delete all.

7. Using Google Takeout

If you want to keep a record of your Google activity before deleting it, you can use Google Takeout to download a copy of your data:

1. Go to Google Takeout.
2. Select the data types you want to download. If you want to keep a record of your search history, make sure Web & App Activity is selected.
3. Click on Next Step.
4. Choose the file type and delivery method.
5. Click Create export.

Conclusion

Deleting your search history on Google is a straightforward process that can help protect your privacy and keep your information secure. By following the steps in this guide, you can delete specific search entries, your entire search history, and manage other types of Google activity. Additionally, using Incognito mode and adjusting your activity controls can further enhance your privacy.

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