How to clear your search and browsing history (2024)

How to clear your search history

You can clear your search history on all your devices in your Google, Bing, or Yahoo account settings. Log into your account, go to settings and access your search history. From there you can view and delete any activity you want.

By landing on this page, you have added another site to your browsing history. And if you got here via a search engine, that's also another entry in your search history. It's important to clear your browsing and search history because these breadcrumbs can pile up quickly.

While deleting your browsing history will clear some searches, it will only clear the searches you performed in one browser on that computer. And it doesn't stop advertisers from tracking and using your search historyfollow ad.

To delete your search history in Google, Bing and Yahoo:

Delete your Google search history

1. Log in ind.
   Sign in to your Google account.

2. Open your account settings.
   click onApp-menuin the right corner and selectBill.

   

3. View your account activity.
   ClickData and privacyand scroll down until you see a box labeledHistory settings. ClickMy activity.

   

4. Remove unwanted searches.
   You will see a list of many links and websites. From here you can delete any site or history from a specific day by clickingXicon next to the item or date.

   

5. Erase your entire history.
   Delete your entire history by clickingTo deletebutton below the activity search bar. Select from the pop-up window that appearsAlwaysor select oneCustom range.

   

6. Confirm the deletion.
   ClickTo deleteto confirm that you want to delete your history. The next screen confirms that you have deleted your search history and provides additional options for managing your activity and history.

   

7. Adjust your search history settings.
   Go back toData and privacya windHistory settings. Click on the activity you want Google to stop tracking, for exampleWeb and app activity.

   

8. Disable search history collection.
   IndActivity monitoringfor web and app activity, clickTo swallowto prevent Google from saving your search history.

   

And that's how you clear your Google search history.Google knows a lot about youbeyond just your search history.Download the Google dataif you're curious.

Clear your Bing search history

To delete your Bing search history:

1. Sign in to your Microsoft account.

2. click onthree strokesnext to your login and clickSearch history.

3. ClickView and delete search historyand go to a new site.

4. Log in again.

5. Once you are logged in, you will be taken to a new page. ClickView and clear search history.

6. ClickSearchin the left menu.

7. You can delete each item individually or you can clickClear activitybutton at the top right.

8. ClickClearlyin the pop-up window to clear your Bing search history.

How to delete all searches in Bing. But you should use InPrivate Windows in Edge to prevent Microsoft from saving your searches in the future. Private browsing modes are just one way you can do thatstay safer while browsing— and you may not need to delete your Bing search history again.

Clear your Yahoo! search history

It is easy to clear all your searches in Yahoo. Log in, open your settings and delete your searches.

1. Sign in to Yahoo.

2. On the Yahoo search page, clickThe boxin the top right corner and clickInstitutions.

3. Click on the far leftSearch history.

4. click onbinnext to each item you want to delete.

5. Click to clear your entire search historyClear historyand then clickTo deletein the pop-up window.

6. ClickTurn off historyto prevent Yahoo from saving your search history in the future.

How to clear your browsing history

Clearing your browsing history from one major browser to the next is much the same. While you can choose how much of your history to delete, you have to choosealways/everythingoption if you want to completely update your browser.

How to delete your history in several of the most popular browsers.

Delete your Google Chrome browsing history

Please note that this is the process of deleting search history in Google Chrome, not from your Google account.

1. Open Chrome.

2. click onthree dotsin the upper right corner.

3. ClickHistory. Tap in the extended menuHistoryagain.

   

4. to electDelete browsing historyin the left panel of the new tab that opens.

   

5. A new tab will open with a pop-up. Hold the box to the sideBrowser Differenceschecked and choose how much of your history you want to delete.

   

6. ClickDelete data.

Gain more control over your browsing experience byblock pop-ups in ChromeInRemove Chrome extensionswhen they are no longer usable.

Clear your Firefox browsing history

1. Open Firefox.

2. Click on in the menu barHistory.

3. ClickDelete recent history.

   

4. Check bothBrowsing and download historyInForm and search history. Then use the drop-down menu at the top to select the length of time.

   

5. ClickOkay.

Clear your Internet Explorer and Microsoft Edge browser history

If you still use Internet Explorer, consider itswitch to a new browser. Microsoft no longer supports IE with security updates, making it vulnerable toexploitable security holesdoor hackers.

How to delete your browsing history on Microsoft Edge:

1. Open Microsoft Edge and clickthree dotson the right side of the web address field.

2. ClickHistory(next to the clock arrow icon).

   

3. to electDelete browsing historyon top of.

   

4. Save the box forBrowser Differenceshighlighted and then clickIt's clear now.

   

Delete your Opera browser history

1. Open Opera.

2. click onyouon the far left toolbar.

3. For individual pages, hover your mouse over the link and click itXicon on the right.

4. Click to clear everything at onceDelete browsing history.

5. A new window should appear. Take care of the box next to itBrowser Differencesis checked and set the time interval.

6. ClickDelete dataand you're done.

Delete your AVG Secure Browser history

AVG secured browseris designed with privacy in mind. Robust security and privacy features let you bank, shop and surf safely. Use Private Mode - which automatically blocks ads, trackers and phishing attacks - and you won't have to worry about clearing your browsing history at all.

If you don't use Private Mode, you can still clear your AVG Secure Browser history with a few simple steps:

1. Open AVG Secure Browser.

2. click onthree dotsin the right corner and then navigate toHistory>History.

   

3. ClickPrivacyreiniger.

   

4. Select everything you want to delete (browsing history, cookies, cache) and select your time frame from the drop-down menu. Then clickDelete data.

   

In Settings, clickPrivacy and Security Centerto view all the security-enhancing features that AVG Secure Browser has to offer.

AVG Secure Browser blocks ads, trackers, malicious extensions and more.

How to clear your browsing and search history on your mobile

Clear your search history on your Google, Bing or Yahoo! accounts also delete it on your mobile devices. But you may need to clear your browsing history on mobile separately.

To clear your history on mobile devices:

How to clear search history on iPhones and iPads

Using Safari will clear your iPhone or iPad's browsing and search history at the same time. It is only possible to delete them individually using other browsers.

To delete Safari history on iOS devices, you can go to Settings or do it from the Safari app itself.

Tap to clear Safari history via SettingsInstitutions, scroll downSafariand tap it and scroll down until you see this screen:

Then tapClear history and website data. And this is how you clear Safari history via Settings.

Here's how to clear both your browsing and search history on iOS from the Safari app itself:

1. BeginSafariapp.

2. Pressopen bookicon on the bottom toolbar.

3. Then tapyoutop right.

4. Delete individual items by clicking on themXright of each link.

5. Clear everything, including cookies, by pressingClearlybutton at the bottom of the list.

6. Choose how far back you want to delete and you're good to go.

As you learn how to clear your browsing history in Safari, you can further streamline your Safari experience byblocks Safari pop-ups.

Delete browsing and search history on Android phones and tablets

Deleting your browsing history on Android devices is very similar to the process on PCs, meaning it changes depending on the browser you use. If you've already cleared your search history on your computer's browser, you don't need to do it again on your phone.

Here's how to clear your mobile search history across browsers:

Google Chrome

1. Open the Google Chrome app on your Android, tapthree dotsin the right corner and selectHistory.

   

2. You can remove individual items from this list withXbuttons next to each link, or click on itDelete browsing historyat the top to do everything at once.

   

3. Make sure thatBrowser Differencesthere is a check mark next to it. Choose how much history you want to delete from the drop-down menu on the right.

   

4. ClickDelete dataand you're done.

Of course, your search and browsing history will rebuild quickly. Consider automating the process to easily delete your browsing history,cookies, cache and more regularly with an automatedbrowser cleaning tool.

Firefox

1. Open the Firefox mobile app.

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2. Pressthree dotsIn the right corner.

3. to electHistory.

   

4. You will see a list of recently viewed websites. PressDelete historyat the top of the screen.

   

5. PressTo deletein the pop-up window that appears.

   

Opera

1. Start Opera.

2. FindO-menubutton at the bottom right and press it.

3. PressHistoryand then presswasteicon at the top right.

4. Confirm that you want to clear your browsing history.

Clear your Google Play search history

1. Open Google Play.

2. Tap to the right of the search barblue circlewith your initial or profile photo. PressInstitutions.

   

3. Click on the arrow to the right ofGeneralto expand the menu. Then tapAccount and device preferences.

   

4. Scroll down and tapClear the device's search history.

   

5. Confirm by pressingClear history.

   

How to delete your YouTube search and play history

To block Google's ability to track your YouTube history, sign in to your Google Account and go toPrivacy and personalization>Activity monitoring. . . ShouldYouTube search historyInPlay history on YouTubevan.

YouTube uses your search and play history to show you videos you may be interested in, but you must delete your YouTube history if you want to prevent Google from collecting and storing this information. You may also want to delete YouTube search history for some privacy in your home.

If you don't want to look up how to delete your YouTube search history again, start browsingUnknown modefrom now on. If you watched videos in your browser's incognito/private mode, they will not be saved.

If you deleted your Google search history as described above, you may have seen an option to delete your YouTube playback and search history there as well. Read on to find out how to delete your YouTube history in other ways.

Follow one of the following three processes to delete your YouTube search and play history. They each clear your YouTube search and play history on every device you use.

How to clear YouTube search history on YouTube website

To clear your YouTube play history on the YouTube website:

1. Sign in to your YouTube account.

2. click onthree strokesin the corner and go toHistory.

3. Delete individual videos by hovering over the title and clickingXbutton on the right.

4. Click to delete everythingClear all playback historyto the right and then confirm a second time in the pop-up window.

5. Pause your playback history in the same menu.

6. ClickView and search historyto the right.

7. Delete individual search items or all at once.

How to clear your YouTube history on YouTube mobile site

Here's how to clear YouTube history on your phone:

1. Open the YouTube website on your phone and log in.

2. Press in the main menuiconto access your account.

3. PressHistory.

4. Tap to delete individual videos from your historythree dotsnext to each option, then tapRemove from play history.

5. To delete everything or pause your playback history, press the buttons at the top:Clear all playback historyofPause the playback history.

6. Confirm your selection in the pop-up window that appears.

7. PressSearch historytab to delete individual items or your entire search history.

How to clear your YouTube history in the YouTube app

You can also clear YouTube history via the YouTube app:

1. Open the YouTube app and make sure you are logged in.

2. Presslibraryat the bottom of the screen.

3. PressHistory.

4. Pressthree dotsnext to an item and clickRemove from play historyto delete individual videos.

5. To delete everything, pressthree dotsin the top right corner of the screen, then tapHistory checks.

6. PressPause the playback historyInPause search historyand confirm.

7. PressClear the play historyInDelete search historyalso and confirm.

Why clear my browsing and search history?

Storage of yourbrowser differentcan take up memory on your device and slow it down. And if you ever plan to share your device, clearing your web history is a good first step to keeping your activity private.

Cleaning up your browser will make it more securebecause it protects against history sniffing, which could put your personal data at risk. Plus,clean up other temporary filesbe able tospeed up your PC. Some of themmost secure and private browserswill automatically clear your history at the end of each browsing session.

Why clear your search history? All major search enginestrack your searches, which they then use to help advertisers reach you more effectively. Other websites may sell your information directly to advertisers ordata brokers, which you might be open tomalvertisingattack. Considering how oftendata breachhappens, you are one leak away from potential problems.

Is there a reason not to delete my browsing history?

Deleting your browsing history will prevent your browser from auto-filling the URLs of your favorite websites, but you can easily compensate for this by using bookmarks. If you're concerned that your saved passwords will disappear if you delete your history, they will be retained, but apassword manageris a much more secure way to store your passwords.

If you're not sure what to keep or delete, and you want to give your PC a general cleaning, give it a tryAVG TuneUp. Our specialized cleaner streamlines your browser and removes redundant files and other junk to improve your computer's performance and speed.

A word about cache and cookies

There are differences between a browser's history, its cache, and cookies - although they are certainly connected and will often show up while clearing your history.

• From cachestores elements that certain websites need to run. When you visit these sites again, the cached data will appearmakes your browser load faster.

• Cookiesused by websites to track information about you: what you do, what you can see and where you go.

Not all cookies are bad, but you should do this regularlydelete browser cookiesand also clears the cache. It keeps your browser running at its best and your data much more private.

Private/incognitomodus

Your browser's private or incognito mode prevents your browsing and search history from being saved locally on your device. Butprivate browsingdoesn't make you invisible online, and thatdoes not prevent advertisers from tracking you. Private browsing keeps all browsing activity out of your device's browsing history.

For more protection and anonymity online, you can switch to a special private browser, such asAVG secured browser, including anti-tracking, automatic ad blocking,malwareprotection and much more.

Easily delete your browsing and search history

If you want to skip all the hassle of manually deleting your search and browsing history, you can purchase an automatic browser maintenance tool.AVG TuneUpis a powerful performance optimizer that automatically removes clutter (including your browsing and search history) to protect your privacy and keep your PC in top condition 24/7.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why can't I clear my search history?

If you're wondering why you can't delete your history in Google Chrome, or notice that you can't delete your iPhone's search history, it's probably because you're not logged into your account. You may also need to configure Google Chrome to stop syncing activities with your Google account, or you can remove extensions or add-ons that block access. Also, you may not be able to clear history due to parental control restriction.

How can I view my browsing history?

You can view your browsing history for any PC browser by typingCtrl+H. Use for Safari on Mac⌘ Kommando + Y. In Safari on an iPhone, press and hold your finger<button at the bottom left. For Google Chrome on Android, tapOnlyat the top right, then tapHistoryand swipe up to see a list of recent searches.

Why can't I see my recent searches on Google?

Your search history is only saved if you are logged into your Google account. If you are not currently logged in, your most recent searches will not be visible. Likewise, even if you're logged in, you won't be able to see recent searches when you weren't. It's also possible that you have configured your Google settings to not save your search history at all.

Why is my YouTube history paused?

If your YouTube play history doesn't refresh, you may have accidentally paused it. To check this, go to the YouTube website, click on the hamburger menu at the top left and clickHistory. If you see 'Pause Play History' in the menu on the right, it means your play history is turned on. If you see "Turn on play history," your story is currently paused. Click it to turn YouTube history back on.

Does clearing history delete everything?

A lot of data is generated as you browse the web, and clearing your history will only delete the data from the addresses you've visited, which is stored locally on your device. Your Google search history or other data stored on external servers will not be deleted. It also does not delete cache data, ordisable cookies.

How do I delete cookies on an iPhone?

To clear cookies on your iPhone, openInstitutions, craneSafari, scroll down and tapAdvancedfollowed byWebsite data. Finally, pressDelete all website data.

This will helpimprove the performance of your iPhoneInprevent Safari pop-ups from appearingand other targeted advertisem*nts do not bother you. You can further strengthen your privacy by following alongiPhone security best practicesand through atop rated iOS security app.

How do I clear my history in Chrome?

To delete search history in Google Chrome, click or tap the three dots at the top right corner of the browser window, navigate toHistoryvia the drop-down menu and selectBrowse Differences to knowfollowed byDelete datato confirm.

You can also use onebrowser cleaning toolasAVG TuneUpto manage your browsing history and moredata used by Googleto track you online.Chrome security extensionsbeepop-upblokkeringis another way to protect your privacy.

What happens if you delete cookies?

Delete browser cookiesdries everything permanentlycookie data. This means you will lose data in your shopping carts and any login details you entered on websites you frequently visit. But it also means that you will see fewer targeted advertisem*nts.

Cookies improve your browsing experienceby saving data so you don't have to enter it again and again. But cookies also allow websites and advertisers to track your online activities, so deleting them will improve your online privacy.

What does deleting browsing history do?

Deleting browsing history will clear the list of previously visited websites from your browser and prevent the browser from auto-filling the URLs of your favorite websites. Deleting history does not affect cookies, saved credentials and passwords, or other private data stored as cached data.

Whatever it ismake your browser more secureby clearing the cache, which may have been the caseviraand malware. That is why, to perform a fullbrowser cleanup improves your securityand data protection.

Can the deleted history still be viewed?

Even after you delete your browsing history, your search history will still be visible if you are signed into your Google Account and have enabled search history collection. Other snippets of your browsing history can also be found in your download history, browser cache, and other locations. That's why you need a specialistcleaner toolsto sweep away all your digital breadcrumbs. Learn more aboutClear your cache on AndroidInclear cached data on Mac.