Step 1: Open Google’s Search History
To begin, open a web browser and go to the Google homepage. Click on the “Sign in” button in the top right corner and enter your Google account credentials to sign in.
Once signed in, click on your profile picture or initial in the same top right corner. In the dropdown menu, select “Manage your Google Account” to access the account settings.
In the new page that opens, click on the “Data & personalization” tab in the navigation menu on the left.
Step 2: Access Your Activity Controls
In the “Activity controls” section, scroll down until you find the “Web & App Activity” option. Click on it to view and manage your search history settings.
Step 3: Manage Your Web & App Activity
On the “Web & App Activity” page, you will see a toggle button. If it is already turned off, your search history is not being saved, and you can skip to Step 5.
If the toggle is turned on, click on it to disable the saving of your search history. You will be prompted to confirm your choice. Click “Pause” to stop Google from saving your future searches.
Step 4: Delete Existing Searched Words
To delete the searched words that are already saved, scroll down until you see the “Delete activity by” option. Click on it to proceed.
A new window will appear, allowing you to choose the time range for the search history you want to delete. You can select a specific day, week, month, or even set a custom range. Once you have chosen the desired time range, click on the “Delete” button.
Google will then delete your searched words from the selected time range, providing you with a clean slate.
Step 5: Confirm Deletion
After the deletion process is complete, Google will show a confirmation message. Refresh the page to check if your search history is now empty.
Step 6: Verify Autocomplete Settings
Although you have deleted your searched words, Google may still display suggestions based on popular searches or your browsing habits. To prevent this, go back to the “Web & App Activity” page.
Make sure the toggle for “Autocomplete searches and URLs” is turned off. This setting will disable Google from providing suggestions based on previous searches.
Step 7: Enjoy a Clean Search Experience
Now that you have successfully deleted searched words on Google and adjusted your settings, you can enjoy a fresh and private search experience. Remember to follow these steps periodically if you wish to remove your search history in the future.
By following this step-by-step guide, you now have the knowledge and tools to take control of your Google search history. Happy searching!