Where to find and clear your search history on Facebook
Facebook stores every search you make on the platform — the names you look up, the pages you visit, the topics you explore. You can see this history and delete it in your account settings. The process takes about two minutes and works the same way on desktop and mobile.
On desktop, click the downward arrow in the top right corner of Facebook, then select Settings and privacy, then Settings. On mobile, tap the three horizontal lines (the menu icon), scroll down and tap Settings and privacy, then Settings. From there, look for Your information and permissions in the left sidebar on desktop, or scroll down on mobile until you see it.
Inside that section, click or tap Off-Facebook activity. This page shows you what Facebook has tracked about your activity on other websites, but it also contains a link to your search history. Look for the option that says Clear all history or Manage your search history — the exact wording changes as Facebook updates its interface, but it will be on this page.
Key Takeaways
- Your Facebook search history is stored in Settings under Your information and permissions, in the Off-Facebook activity section.
- You can delete all your searches at once, or delete individual searches one by one from your search history list.
- Clearing your search history does not delete messages, posts you made, or comments — it only removes the record of what you searched for.
- Facebook continues to collect new search data after you clear your history unless you turn off activity tracking in your privacy settings.
Deleting individual searches versus clearing everything at once
You have two options: delete your entire search history in one action, or go through and delete specific searches. If you want to clear everything, the Clear all history button on the Off-Facebook activity page will do it when ready. This removes every search you have ever made on Facebook.
If you want to keep some searches and delete others, go to your search history list instead. You will see each search you have made, listed with the date. Hover over or tap any individual search, and a delete button (usually an X or trash icon) will appear. Click it to remove that single search from your history. This approach takes longer but gives you control over what stays and what goes.
Keep in mind that deleting your search history does not delete anything else — your posts, comments, messages, and photos all remain. You are only removing the record of what you searched for.
What happens to your search history after you delete it
Once you clear your search history, those searches are gone from your account. Facebook will not show them to you anymore when you click on the search bar. However, Facebook does not stop collecting new search data after you delete the old history. Every search you make going forward will be recorded again.
If you want to prevent Facebook from storing your searches in the future, you need to adjust your activity settings. In the same Off-Facebook activity section, you can turn off tracking for certain apps and websites. However, Facebook's own search tracking cannot be fully disabled — the platform uses this data to improve its search results and show you targeted ads.
Why Facebook stores your search history
Facebook keeps a record of your searches for two main reasons: to make the search feature work better and to build a profile of your interests for advertising. When you search for someone's name or a topic, Facebook notes it. Over time, this creates a picture of what you are interested in, which Facebook uses to decide what ads to show you.
Your search history is also used to improve Facebook's search algorithm — the system that decides which results appear first when you search. The more searches Facebook records, the better it can predict what you are looking for. This is why clearing your history does not stop the collection; Facebook needs ongoing data to keep the feature running.
Controlling what others can see about your searches
Your search history is private to you — other people cannot see what you have searched for on Facebook. Your friends cannot look at your account and find a list of your searches. However, if you search for someone's name and then visit their profile, they may see that you viewed their profile, depending on your privacy settings.
To control whether people can see when you visit their profile, go to Settings and privacy > Settings > Privacy. Look for the option about who can see when you visit their profile, and adjust it to Only me if you want complete privacy. This is separate from search history, but it affects what traces your searches leave behind.
Clearing search history on the Facebook app versus the website
The steps are almost identical whether you use Facebook on a computer or on your phone. The main difference is how you navigate the menu. On a computer, you click the downward arrow in the top right. On an iPhone or Android phone, you tap the three horizontal lines at the bottom right of the screen.
Once you reach Settings, the path is the same: Settings and privacy > Settings > Your information and permissions > Off-Facebook activity. From there, you can delete your search history the same way on either device. If you use Facebook on multiple devices, clearing your history on one device clears it across all of them, because the history is stored on Facebook's servers, not on your phone or computer.
What to do if you cannot find your search history
If the Off-Facebook activity section does not show a search history option, it may be because Facebook has not yet rolled out that feature to your account — Facebook updates its interface gradually, and not all accounts get new features at the same time. Try checking back in a few days or weeks.
Another reason you might not see a search history is if you have never actually searched for anything on Facebook. The search history feature only appears once you have made at least one search. If you have searched but still cannot find the history, try logging out and logging back in, or clearing your browser cache if you are using a computer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does deleting my search history delete my messages?
No. Deleting your search history only removes the record of what you searched for. Your messages, posts, photos, and comments all stay on your account. If you want to delete messages, you need to do that separately in your Messenger inbox.
Can Facebook still see my searches after I delete them?
Facebook's internal systems still have a record that you made those searches, but you cannot see them anymore in your account. Facebook uses this data for advertising and to improve its search feature. You cannot fully prevent Facebook from recording searches, but you can delete them from your visible history.
Will deleting my search history stop Facebook from showing me targeted ads?
No. Facebook uses many sources of information to target ads, not just your search history. Even after you delete your searches, Facebook still knows your interests from your posts, likes, comments, and activity on other websites. Deleting search history is one privacy step, but it does not stop targeted advertising.
What if I search for someone and then delete my search history — can they still tell I looked them up?
They cannot see that you searched for them. However, if you visit their profile after searching for them, they may see that you viewed their profile, depending on your privacy settings. Deleting your search history does not hide profile visits — those are controlled separately in your privacy settings.
How often should I delete my search history?
That depends on how much privacy matters to you. Some people delete their history monthly, others do it whenever they search for something sensitive. There is no rule — it is entirely up to you. Keep in mind that Facebook will start recording new searches when ready after you delete the old ones.