Simple Steps to Clear Google Search History

PDF download Download Article
A step-by-step guide to get rid of your search history on Google
PDF download Download Article

You can delete single search history results from the autocomplete list on the Google search page. If you need to clear out a lot or all of your search history, you can use the Google My Activity page. Clearing your Google Search history will only remove items that you've typed into the Google Search box. If you need to delete your web browsing history, see Delete Browsing History .

Things You Should Know

  • Open your web browser on your computer, phone, or tablet, and go to the Google activity site.
  • Click or tap the vertical three-dot menu then select "Delete activity by."
  • You can use a web browser on your computer, Android, iPhone, or iPad to do this.
Method 1
Method 1 of 2:

Clearing Your History

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/c\/c7\/Clear-Google-Search-History-Step-7-Version-4.jpg\/v4-460px-Clear-Google-Search-History-Step-7-Version-4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/c\/c7\/Clear-Google-Search-History-Step-7-Version-4.jpg\/v4-728px-Clear-Google-Search-History-Step-7-Version-4.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":349,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":553,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    You can do this from your computer or mobile device.
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/0\/04\/Clear-Google-Search-History-Step-8-Version-4.jpg\/v4-460px-Clear-Google-Search-History-Step-8-Version-4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/0\/04\/Clear-Google-Search-History-Step-8-Version-4.jpg\/v4-728px-Clear-Google-Search-History-Step-8-Version-4.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":346,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":547,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Advertisement
  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/6\/6f\/Clear-Google-Search-History-Step-9-Version-4.jpg\/v4-460px-Clear-Google-Search-History-Step-9-Version-4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/6\/6f\/Clear-Google-Search-History-Step-9-Version-4.jpg\/v4-728px-Clear-Google-Search-History-Step-9-Version-4.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":348,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":550,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Even if you're already signed in, you'll likely be asked for your password again. Sign in with the account that you want to delete the entire search history for.
  4. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/e\/e2\/Clear-Google-Search-History-Step-10-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Clear-Google-Search-History-Step-10-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/e\/e2\/Clear-Google-Search-History-Step-10-Version-2.jpg\/v4-728px-Clear-Google-Search-History-Step-10-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    This can be found in the upper-left corner. In larger browser windows, the menu will be open automatically.
  5. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/7\/7e\/Clear-Google-Search-History-Step-11-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Clear-Google-Search-History-Step-11-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/7\/7e\/Clear-Google-Search-History-Step-11-Version-2.jpg\/v4-728px-Clear-Google-Search-History-Step-11-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":346,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":547,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
  6. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/d\/dc\/Clear-Google-Search-History-Step-12-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Clear-Google-Search-History-Step-12-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/d\/dc\/Clear-Google-Search-History-Step-12-Version-2.jpg\/v4-728px-Clear-Google-Search-History-Step-12-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":344,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":545,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    This will let you change how much search history will be deleted.
  7. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/8\/81\/Clear-Google-Search-History-Step-13-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Clear-Google-Search-History-Step-13-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/8\/81\/Clear-Google-Search-History-Step-13-Version-2.jpg\/v4-728px-Clear-Google-Search-History-Step-13-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":344,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":545,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
  8. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/6\/68\/Clear-Google-Search-History-Step-14-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Clear-Google-Search-History-Step-14-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/6\/68\/Clear-Google-Search-History-Step-14-Version-2.jpg\/v4-728px-Clear-Google-Search-History-Step-14-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":344,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":545,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
  9. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/2\/2d\/Clear-Google-Search-History-Step-15-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Clear-Google-Search-History-Step-15-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/2\/2d\/Clear-Google-Search-History-Step-15-Version-2.jpg\/v4-728px-Clear-Google-Search-History-Step-15-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    This will ensure that only your search history is deleted.
  10. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/5\/5e\/Clear-Google-Search-History-Step-16-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Clear-Google-Search-History-Step-16-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/5\/5e\/Clear-Google-Search-History-Step-16-Version-2.jpg\/v4-728px-Clear-Google-Search-History-Step-16-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":344,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":544,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    After confirming, your entire Google Search history for that Google account will be deleted. [1]
    • You can delete specific items instead of your whole history by tapping or clicking the ⋮ button next to an item in your "Item view" list and selecting "Delete."
    11. Advertisement
Method 2
Method 2 of 2:

Deleting One Item

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/0\/0e\/Clear-Google-Search-History-Step-1-Version-11.jpg\/v4-460px-Clear-Google-Search-History-Step-1-Version-11.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/0\/0e\/Clear-Google-Search-History-Step-1-Version-11.jpg\/v4-728px-Clear-Google-Search-History-Step-1-Version-11.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":349,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":553,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Open the web browser on your computer or mobile device.
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/4\/45\/Clear-Google-Search-History-Step-2-Version-11.jpg\/v4-460px-Clear-Google-Search-History-Step-2-Version-11.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/4\/45\/Clear-Google-Search-History-Step-2-Version-11.jpg\/v4-728px-Clear-Google-Search-History-Step-2-Version-11.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":343,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":543,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Enter www.google.com into the browser's address bar.
  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/c\/cf\/Clear-Google-Search-History-Step-3-Version-11.jpg\/v4-460px-Clear-Google-Search-History-Step-3-Version-11.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/c\/cf\/Clear-Google-Search-History-Step-3-Version-11.jpg\/v4-728px-Clear-Google-Search-History-Step-3-Version-11.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":346,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":547,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Sign in with the Google account that the search entry is associated with.
    • Previous searches will only appear if you are signed into Google.
  4. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/f\/f8\/Clear-Google-Search-History-Step-4-Version-11.jpg\/v4-460px-Clear-Google-Search-History-Step-4-Version-11.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/f\/f8\/Clear-Google-Search-History-Step-4-Version-11.jpg\/v4-728px-Clear-Google-Search-History-Step-4-Version-11.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":346,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":548,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
  5. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/d\/d3\/Clear-Google-Search-History-Step-5-Version-11.jpg\/v4-460px-Clear-Google-Search-History-Step-5-Version-11.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/d\/d3\/Clear-Google-Search-History-Step-5-Version-11.jpg\/v4-728px-Clear-Google-Search-History-Step-5-Version-11.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":342,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":542,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    It will be purple instead of black.
    • Note: The black results are autocomplete results based on common or popular searches. They cannot be deleted and have no bearing on your local search history.
  6. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/2\/2c\/Clear-Google-Search-History-Step-6-Version-11.jpg\/v4-460px-Clear-Google-Search-History-Step-6-Version-11.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/2\/2c\/Clear-Google-Search-History-Step-6-Version-11.jpg\/v4-728px-Clear-Google-Search-History-Step-6-Version-11.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":348,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":551,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    This will delete the search from your Web History.
    • On mobile devices, you'll need to tap "OK" in the pop-up that appears to confirm.
    7. Advertisement

Expert Q&A

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    How do I delete unwanted searches?
    Marc Crabbé
    Google Suite Expert
    Marc is a translator and International Project Manager, who has been working in Google Suite for project management since 2011.
    Marc Crabbé
    Google Suite Expert
    Expert Answer
    To delete your Google search history on Chrome, open the configuration menu clicking on the ⋮ icon on the top-right corner of the Chrome window, go to 'Settings,' then 'Advanced Features,' then 'Privacy and Security'—or 'Privacidad y Seguridad' if your Chrome is in Spanish like mine. Finally, select 'Clear browsing data' and select the options you need.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 1 Helpful 0
  • Question
    How can I delete my history on my Android?
    Jackson Quesinberry
    Community Answer
    Tap the dots in the top right corner. Scroll down and select "Delete search history." Next time, I recommend opening an incognito tab by tapping the tabs button (the square with a number), then the dots, and then selecting "Open a new incognito tab." Your search history, preferences, etc., will not be saved.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 4 Helpful 5
  • Question
    I don't have Google Chrome. How do I clear my Google search history?
    Community Answer
    Go to myactivity.google.com and sign into your Google account. Here, you can select either Bundle view or Item view, then click the 3-dot menu button at the top right of an entry to delete it. You can also delete local search history by clearing your browsing data.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 6 Helpful 6
See more answers
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Video

      Tips

      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
      Advertisement

      Warnings

      • Though your search history will be unavailable to you, it will still exist on Google servers "in perpetuity." This means that, given a court order, they could (and no doubt would) release your history to law enforcement.
        Thanks
      • Clearing your search history is irreversible.
        Thanks
      Advertisement

      You Might Also Like

      2 Simple Ways to Clear Safari Search History
      How to
      Earn Money Through Google Adsense
      How to
      Use the Google Calculator
      How to
      Sign Out of Your Google Account on All Devices at Once
      How to Delete Google Photos without Deleting Them on Your Phone
      How to Disable Google Safe Search
      How to Sign Up for a New Google Voice Phone Number
      2 Simple Ways to Unsync Google Photos
      How to Restore Google Authenticator if You Lost or Reset Your Phone
      How to Use Google Translate: Complete Beginner's Guide
      2 Easy Ways to Permanently Delete (or, Hide) Your YouTube Channel
      How to
      Fix the "Google Play Store Has Stopped" Error
      How to Use Dark Mode in Google Docs: Easy Steps for Desktop & Mobile
      Reverse Image Search in Google Lens: Android, iPhone, & Desktop
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ https://support.google.com/websearch/answer/465?co=GENIE.Platform%3DDesktop&hl=en

      About This Article

      In other languages
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 1,311,912 times.

      Is this article up to date?

      Advertisement