Delete Google Search History on All Devices : A Comprehensive Guide

We often don’t realize while using the Google search engine that we are leaving digital footprints behind with every Google search which tells more about our preferences and personal information. When searching for random things such as favorite restaurants, any YouTube video, late-night questions, products, or anything we have googled in our vulnerability, Google keeps track of it.

It raises the question of whether that is a good thing or a bad thing. It’s both, but don’t worry you can delete your search history. In this article, we will describe how to remove your Google search history from different devices. It includes iPhone, Android, Mac, and PC while being logged in to your Google account. So let’s start from Google search history meaning and its importance.

What is Google Search History & Why Is It Important?

Google search history also known as browser history is the chronological list of the sites you have accessed through Chrome browser. It helps users in locating previously visited websites easily. However, it comes with a drawback because anyone can view your complete search history with your mobile access. Clearing your Google search history is essential to remove the traces of your digital activity and boosts your privacy. Although Google keeps some data records still, you can manage and remove Google search history to decrease unwanted visibility and increase your online security.

 Difference between clearing search history and clearing cache:

Google search history keeps the list of websites you have explored in the past. In contrast, cache keeps temporary information from your web activity. It enables your device to load pages quickly upon frequent visits. However, clearing Google search history as well as cache monthly is essential to improve your digital privacy. Additionally, make sure to clear your search history before planning to sell or giving away your device.

How to Delete Google Search History from Your Google Account?

Deleting Google search history doesn’t truly mean that Google deletes your search data. Although you delete the search history of your online behavior, Google continues to keep track of your online activity such as why and when you used its features. However, you can delete the search history to protect your privacy from prying eyes. Follow these steps to delete your search history from your Google account-

1. Go to your Google and visit “myaccount.google.com” from your mobile or web browser.
2. Sign in to your Google account, if you haven’t already signed in.
3. Select the “data and privacy” option from the left menu then scroll down and click on “My Activity Option”.
4. Enter your password or two-step verification, if you have turned on the extra verification setting.
5. To delete your Google search history, click the three vertical dots on the top of your screen.
6. Click on “Delete activity by” option.
7. Click on the “All Time” option, from the “Delete Activity” box.
8. “Choose which services to delete activity from”, or “Select All” then click on the “Next” option.
9. Click on the “Delete” option to confirm your Google deletion.

How to Clear Individual Items from Search History?

Sometimes you wish to retain some data in your search history temporarily and certain data you prefer to delete. Follow these steps to clear your individual search history.

1. Go to the “History” tab, and select “EDIT” from the bottom-right corner.
2. Scroll through the items or search for the data you wish to remove from the search history.
3. Select the circle next to it to mark it with a check.
4. Select “Delete” from the bottom-left corner.
5. At the last, Select “Done” from the top-right corner.

How to Clear Your Search History on Chrome:

1. On Android

• Go to the Chrome application on your Android device.
• Click on three dots>History>clear browsing data.
• From the top, set a time frame. To remove your complete browsing history, click on “All time”.
• Select the check box next to browsing history.
• Click on the “clear data” option from the bottom right corner of your screen.

2. On iPhone:

• Visit the Chrome application on your iPhone device.
• Click on three dots>History>clear browsing data.
• Select Browsing History, it can be selected by default.
• Unselect any specific item you do not wish to delete.
• Click on “Clear Browsing Data” twice.
• Click on the “Done” option from the upper-right corner.

How to Delete Your Search History on Safari:

Open your iPhone’s settings>Safari, if there is no history or website data to delete, the clear history and website data button will turn grey and you will not be able to click on it. If you have web content limits enabled under content and privacy limits under screen time, the button will turn grey as well.

How to Delete Your Search History on Firefox?

1. On Android

• Open Firefox on your Android phone and go to settings.
• Under Privacy and Security, select Delete browsing data > Browsing history.
• Click on Delete browsing data.

2. On iPhone:

• Open the Firefox application on your iPhone.
• Select three lines> History> Clear Recent History.
• Select a custom timeframe from the menu.
• Click on “Everything” to delete your complete browsing history.

How to Delete Google Search History on PC or Mac?

Here we have mentioned the detailed steps to delete Google search history on a PC or Mac computer. The following guides are especially for Google Chrome. However, the process for deleting search history is quite similar in almost every browser.

1. Open Google Chrome, and click on three dots from the upper right corner.
2. Scroll down the menu and select History from the list of alternatives.
3. Select the Delete browsing data option to delete search history and other browsing data saved on your device.
4. Set up the time range to delete the history of specific data or select All Time to delete your complete search history.
5. Click on the browsing history check box and then click on the Delete data option.

How to set up Auto-Delete to Clear Google Search History?

1. Open your web browser and visit the “Web & App Activity” page.
2. Click on the “Auto-Delete” button.l
3. Select the “Auto-delete older than” option and set a time range from the drop-down menu.
4. Select from three months, 18 months, and 36 months to delete your Google activity.
5. Click on the “Next” button.
6. Click “Confirm” to save your changes.

Why can’t I delete my Google Search History?

If you are facing difficulties in deleting your Google search history, it can be because of the reasons mentioned below-

1. Using an outdated version of Chrome:

 If you are operating on outdated Chrome, switch to the updated chrome and try again. If you are already using the updated Chrome version then refresh the page, log out, and log back before deleting your Google search history once again.

2. You have only deleted the history of your browser:

 Deleting your browser’s history does not mean deleting it from your Google account. To completely remove it you will need to delete the search history from your Google account as well.

3. You have linked devices:

Google applications and its features are often linked to search history across various devices. To ensure complete deletion, you will need to delete your search history from every device that is linked to your Google account.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, Google Search history has an important role in our everyday engagement with the digital world. It protects our privacy and improves our digital experiences. It remembers passwords, websites, and preferences. However, always make sure to delete your Google search history monthly because it helps in managing your digital footprint and privacy. You can follow the process described in this article to remove your browsing history.

For further information on Google search, its features, services, or any digital and technology-related subject feel free to visit our website.