Safe Search is a filter you turn on in your search engine's settings that hides adult content from your results
Safe Search is not a privacy tool — it does not stop Google, Bing, or your other search engine from recording what you search for. What it does is filter out pornographic images, sexually explicit websites, and some violent content from the results you see. You turn it on in your search engine's settings, and the setting usually sticks across devices once you sign in with your account.
Safe Search works best when you are the only person using a device, or when you want a baseline filter that does not require you to think about it. It is not a substitute for parental controls if you are trying to restrict what someone else can see — those tools let you lock settings so they cannot be changed without a password.
Key Takeaways
- Safe Search filters adult content from search results but does not hide your searches from the search engine itself.
- You turn Safe Search on differently depending on whether you use Google, Bing, or another search engine, and the steps take less than a minute.
- Safe Search works on the device where you turn it on, but if you sign into your account on another device, the setting usually follows you.
- Safe Search is not the same as parental controls — it is a content filter, not a lock that prevents someone from changing the setting.
How to enable Safe Search on Google
On Google, you can turn on Safe Search without signing in, but the setting will not stay on if you clear your browser cookies. If you sign into your Google account first, Safe Search will stay on across devices.
Go to google.com and look at the bottom right of the page. Click Settings, then click Search Settings. Under "SafeSearch Filters," select the box next to Turn on SafeSearch. Click Save at the bottom of the page. The next time you search, adult content will be filtered from your results.
If you use the Google app on your phone, open the app and tap your profile picture in the top right. Go to Settings > Search Settings > SafeSearch and toggle it on. On a Chromebook, the process is the same as on a computer.
How to enable Safe Search on Bing
Bing's Safe Search has three levels: Off, Moderate, and Strict. Moderate filters adult images and websites. Strict also filters violent content and some other material. You do not need to sign in for Safe Search to work on Bing, but signing in makes the setting persistent.
Go to bing.com and click Settings in the bottom right corner. Click Search Settings. Under "SafeSearch," select either Moderate or Strict. Click Save. If you are signed into your Microsoft account, the setting will follow you to other devices.
How to enable Safe Search on other search engines
DuckDuckGo, Yahoo, and other search engines have their own content filters, though they work differently than Google and Bing. DuckDuckGo calls it the "Poultry" setting — go to the gear icon, scroll to "Poultry," and select your preference. Yahoo has a Safe Search toggle in its settings menu, similar to Google's.
If you use a less common search engine, look for a Settings or Preferences link, usually at the bottom or top of the page. Search for the words "safe," "filter," or "content" in the settings menu. Most search engines put this option near other privacy and display settings.
What Safe Search does and does not filter
Safe Search removes pornographic images and sexually explicit websites from results. It also filters some violent content, though what counts as violent varies by search engine. If you search for a medical term, a news story about violence, or the title of an adult film for informational reasons, Safe Search may still filter those results.
Safe Search does not filter profanity in text results, misinformation, or hate speech. It does not stop the search engine from recording your searches, storing them in your account history, or using them to build a profile of your interests. If you want to hide your searches from the search engine itself, you need to use private browsing mode or a privacy-focused search engine — Safe Search alone does not do that.
Safe Search on shared devices and family accounts
If multiple people use the same device, Safe Search is a weak barrier. Anyone can go into settings and turn it off in seconds. If you need to restrict what someone else can see — particularly a child — use parental controls instead. On Windows, use Family Safety. On Mac, use Parental Controls. On iPhone and iPad, use Screen Time. On Android, use Family Link. These tools let you lock settings behind a password so they cannot be changed without your permission.
Google Family Link and Microsoft Family Safety also let you see what searches are happening and set time limits on device use. Safe Search is a filter; parental controls are a lock. They work best together.
Why Safe Search is not enough for privacy
Turning on Safe Search does not change what the search engine knows about you. Google still records that you searched for something, stores it in your account, and uses it to target ads. Bing does the same. Safe Search only changes what appears in your results — it is a content filter, not a privacy tool.
If you want to search without the search engine recording your activity, use private browsing mode (called Incognito in Chrome, Private in Firefox and Safari). Private mode does not send your searches to the search engine's servers in the same way, though your internet service provider can still see what you are searching for. For stronger privacy, use a search engine designed for it, like DuckDuckGo or Startpage, which do not build profiles on users.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Safe Search stop the search engine from seeing my searches?
No. Safe Search only filters what appears in your results. The search engine still records and stores your searches in your account history. To hide your searches from the search engine, use private browsing mode or switch to a privacy-focused search engine.
Can someone turn off Safe Search if I turn it on?
Yes, if they have access to the device or account. Safe Search is a setting, not a lock. If you need to prevent someone from changing it, use parental controls instead, which require a password to modify.
Does Safe Search work the same way on all devices?
If you sign into your account, Safe Search usually follows you across devices. However, if you use a device without signing in, or if you clear your cookies, the setting may reset. Check your settings on each device to be sure.
Will Safe Search filter results for legitimate searches about adult topics?
Sometimes. If you search for medical information, news about sexual health, or academic content, Safe Search may filter some results. You can temporarily turn it off for specific searches, then turn it back on.
Is Safe Search better than private browsing?
They do different things. Safe Search filters content in your results. Private browsing hides your activity from the search engine and your browser history. For full privacy, use both: private browsing mode plus a privacy-focused search engine.