Key Takeaways
- Google stores your search history only when you're signed into your Google account, so signing out prevents new searches from being saved.
- You can delete all your search history at once or remove individual searches from the My Activity page at myactivity.google.com.
- Turning on "Web & App Activity" pause stops Google from saving new searches, but does not delete what's already stored.
- Deleting your search history does not remove your name from Google's records if you've used Google services — it only removes the searches themselves.
- You can download a copy of your search history before deleting it using Google Takeout, which creates a file you can save to your computer.
Access Your Search History on My Activity
Go to myactivity.google.com and sign in with the Google account you want to manage. You'll see a timeline of your recent activity — searches, videos you've watched on YouTube, maps you've looked up, and other Google services you've used while signed in.
The page shows your most recent activity first. You can scroll down to see older searches, or use the search box at the top to find a specific search you remember. On the left side, you can filter by date or by service type (for example, to see only Google Search activity and hide YouTube).
Delete Individual Searches
Find the search you want to remove and click the three dots next to it. A menu will appear with the option to "Delete." Click it, and that single search is removed from your history immediately.
If you want to delete several searches at once without deleting everything, you can repeat this process for each one. There's no batch delete for individual items, so this method works best if you're removing a handful of searches rather than hundreds.
Delete All Your Search History at Once
On the My Activity page, look for the three-line menu icon (called a hamburger menu) in the top left corner. Click it and select "Delete activity by." A panel will open on the left side of the screen.
By default, it shows "All time" — meaning every search you've ever done on this account. You can change this to a specific date range if you only want to delete searches from the last day, week, month, or year. Below that, make sure "Google Search" is checked (or check only the services you want to clear). Then click the blue "Delete" button at the bottom.
Google will ask you to confirm. Click "Delete" again, and your search history is removed. This usually happens instantly, though it can take a few hours for the deletion to show everywhere Google stores this data.
Pause New Searches From Being Saved
If you want to stop Google from recording your searches going forward without deleting what's already saved, turn off "Web & App Activity." On the My Activity page, click the menu icon in the top left and select "Settings."
Look for the toggle next to "Web & App Activity" and turn it off. When this is off, Google won't save your searches, YouTube videos you watch, websites you visit, or other activity on Google services — but only on this device and account. If you sign into Google on another device, you'll need to turn off Web & App Activity there too.
Turning this off does not delete your existing search history. It only stops new activity from being recorded. You can turn it back on anytime by returning to Settings and toggling it back on.
Download Your Search History Before Deleting
If you want to keep a copy of your search history before you delete it, use Google Takeout at takeout.google.com. Sign in and you'll see a list of all Google services that have data associated with your account.
By default, all services are selected. Uncheck everything except "Search" (or leave only the services you want to download). Then scroll to the bottom and click "Next step." Choose your file format (the default is fine), how often you want the file delivered, and which storage service to send it to — you can have Google email it to you, or save it directly to Google Drive, Dropbox, or OneDrive.
Google will create a file containing your search history and send it to you. This file is yours to keep, and you can open it on your computer whenever you want. Downloading your history does not delete it from Google's servers — you still need to use My Activity to actually remove it.
What Deleting Your History Does and Doesn't Do
Deleting your search history removes the record of what you searched for from your Google account. It does not remove your name or email address from Google's systems, and it does not prevent Google from collecting new data about you going forward.
If you've used other Google services — Gmail, Google Maps, YouTube, Google Photos — those histories are stored separately. Deleting your search history does not touch those. You can delete activity from each service individually on My Activity, or delete all activity across all services at once by selecting "All services" instead of just "Google Search."
Deleting your history also does not affect what Google knows about you from other sources, such as your location data, your browsing on websites that use Google Analytics, or ads you've clicked on. Those are tracked separately and managed through different settings.
Control What Gets Saved on Different Devices
Your search history syncs across all devices where you're signed into the same Google account. If you delete your history on one device, it's deleted everywhere. If you want to prevent searches on one specific device from being saved while allowing them on another, you'll need to either sign out of that device or turn off Web & App Activity just on that device.
If you use Google in Incognito mode (in Chrome) or Private Browsing mode (in other browsers), those searches are not saved to your history at all — they only exist during that browsing session. Once you close the private window, Google doesn't keep a record of those searches.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will deleting my search history make Google forget about me?
No. Deleting your search history removes only the record of your searches. Google still knows you exist as an account holder and still collects data about you through other means — your location, your YouTube activity, your Gmail, and your browsing on websites that use Google services. Deleting search history is one privacy step, not a complete erasure.
Can I delete my search history without signing into Google?
Only searches done while signed in are saved to your history. If you search while signed out, Google doesn't store it in your account's My Activity. However, your internet service provider and the websites you visit may still see your searches. Signing out of Google prevents Google specifically from recording your searches.
What if I delete my search history and then change my mind?
Once you delete your search history from My Activity, it's gone. Google does not keep a backup you can restore. If you downloaded your history using Google Takeout before deleting, you have a copy on your computer, but you cannot upload it back into your Google account. Plan ahead if you think you might need it later.
Does clearing my browser history delete my Google search history?
No. Clearing your browser history (in Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge) removes only the list of websites you visited in that browser. It does not touch your Google Search History, which is stored on Google's servers and tied to your Google account. You need to delete it separately on My Activity.
Can I see what searches other people have done on my device?
If other people use your device and sign into their own Google accounts, their searches are saved to their own accounts, not yours. If someone uses your device while signed into your Google account, their searches will appear in your history. To prevent this, have them use Incognito mode or sign out of your account before they search.