Safe Search filters out explicit sexual content, violence, and other material you might not want to see — and it's on by default in most search engines and video platforms. You can turn it off in your account settings, though the exact steps depend on which service you use and whether you're signed in.
Key Takeaways
- Google Safe Search is controlled in your account settings under "Search settings," not in your browser — turning it off in one browser won't affect other devices unless you're signed into the same account.
- YouTube has its own separate Safe Mode toggle in the account menu at the bottom right of the screen, and it persists across devices when you're signed in.
- Bing Safe Search lives in Settings under "Search settings," and you can also lock it on if you share a device and want to prevent others from disabling it.
- If you're not signed into an account, Safe Search resets each time you close your browser, so you'll need to disable it again on your next search session.
- School and workplace networks often force Safe Search on at the network level, meaning you won't be able to disable it through normal settings.
How to turn off Google Safe Search
Google Safe Search is tied to your account, not your browser. If you're signed into your Google account, go to google.com/search/settings directly, or click your profile picture in the top right of any Google search page, select "Search settings," then look for the "SafeSearch filters" section near the top. You'll see three options: "Filter explicit results," "Moderate SafeSearch," or "Do not filter." Choose "Do not filter" and click "Save."
If you're not signed in, you can still disable Safe Search on that browser session. Scroll to the bottom of the Google search results page and click "Settings," then "Search settings," then choose "Do not filter" and save. However, this only lasts until you close your browser — the next time you search without signing in, Safe Search will be back on.
Safe Search settings sync across devices when you're signed into your Google account. If you turn it off on your phone while logged in, it stays off on your laptop. If you use multiple Google accounts, each one has its own Safe Search setting.
How to turn off YouTube Safe Mode
YouTube's Safe Mode is separate from Google Search Safe Search, even though they're both Google products. To disable it, sign into your YouTube account, then click your profile picture in the top right corner. At the very bottom of the menu, you'll see "Restricted Mode" with a toggle switch. Click it to turn Restricted Mode off.
Like Google Search, YouTube's setting syncs across devices when you're signed in. If you're not signed in, YouTube will ask you to sign in before you can change Restricted Mode. Some schools and libraries sign users into shared accounts that have Restricted Mode locked on, which means you won't see an option to toggle it off — it's controlled by the account owner.
How to turn off Bing Safe Search
Bing Safe Search is managed through your Microsoft account settings. Go to bing.com/account/settings while signed in, or click "Settings" at the bottom right of any Bing search page and select "Search settings." Under "SafeSearch," choose "Off" and click "Save."
Bing also offers a "Lock SafeSearch" option on the same page. If you turn this on, Safe Search stays on and can't be disabled unless someone knows your Microsoft account password — this is useful if you share a device with children or others. When SafeSearch is locked on, the toggle becomes grayed out and unclickable.
What happens when Safe Search is off
Disabling Safe Search means the search engine will show results that contain explicit sexual content, graphic violence, hate speech, and other material the filter normally hides. You might also see more results from adult websites, forums with unmoderated comments, and content that violates the platform's policies but hasn't been removed yet.
Turning off Safe Search does not bypass other content policies. YouTube will still remove videos that violate its community guidelines, and Google will still de-rank spam and malware. Safe Search is specifically about filtering mature content, not about removing illegal material or scams.
When Safe Search won't turn off
If you're on a school, library, or workplace network, Safe Search might be locked on at the network level. This means your individual account settings won't override it — the network administrator has configured their firewall or proxy to force Safe Search regardless of what you select. You can't disable it through normal settings in this situation.
Some shared devices also have Safe Search locked through parental controls or device management software. If you see "Restricted Mode" grayed out on YouTube or can't find a Safe Search toggle on Google, check whether the device has parental controls enabled or whether you're using a managed account.
Safe Search and privacy
Disabling Safe Search doesn't make your searches private. Google, Bing, and YouTube still log what you search for and watch, and that data is tied to your account. If you want to search without logging your activity, use your browser's private or incognito mode in addition to disabling Safe Search — though note that your internet service provider and network administrator can still see what sites you visit.
Safe Search filters are not a security feature. They don't protect you from malware, phishing, or scams. They only hide certain types of content from results. If you're concerned about accidentally clicking a malicious link, that's a separate issue from Safe Search.
Frequently Asked Questions
If I turn off Safe Search on my phone, does it turn off on my computer too?
Only if you're signed into the same account on both devices. Google and YouTube sync Safe Search settings across all devices where you're logged in. If you use different accounts or browse without signing in, each device has its own setting.
Can my parents see that I turned off Safe Search?
If they have access to your Google or Microsoft account, they can check your Search settings page and see that Safe Search is off. If they have parental controls set up on your device, they may also receive notifications about changes to restricted settings. Safe Search settings are not hidden from account owners.
Why does Safe Search turn back on after I disable it?
If you're not signed into an account, Safe Search resets when you close your browser. If you're signed in and it keeps resetting, check whether Safe Search is locked on through parental controls or device management. You can also try clearing your browser cache and signing out and back into your account.
Does turning off Safe Search make my searches anonymous?
No. Safe Search only filters content types — it doesn't hide your search history from Google, Bing, or your internet service provider. To search without logging your activity, use your browser's private or incognito mode, though your ISP can still see the websites you visit.
What if my school locked Safe Search and I can't turn it off?
School networks typically lock Safe Search at the network level, which means individual account settings can't override it. You would need to contact your school's IT department to request a change, though they may have policies about when Safe Search can be disabled. Using a personal mobile hotspot instead of the school network is another option, though that may violate your school's acceptable use policy.