Where to find your Google search history
Your Google search history lives in your Google Account settings, not in your browser. If you use Google Search while signed in, Google stores what you searched for, when you searched, and what device you used. To see this record, go to myactivity.google.com in any browser while signed into your Google Account.
The page opens to your activity feed, showing your searches in reverse order — newest first. You will see the search term, the date and time, and the device type. If you have multiple Google accounts, make sure you are signed into the right one, because each account has its own separate history.
You can also reach this page through your Google Account settings: go to myaccount.google.com, click "Data & privacy" on the left menu, then scroll to "My Activity" and click "Go to My Activity".
Key Takeaways
- Your Google search history is stored at myactivity.google.com and only appears when you are signed into your Google Account.
- Google shows your searches in reverse chronological order with the date, time, and device for each search.
- You can filter your history by date range, product (Search, Maps, YouTube), and search term to find specific activity.
- Deleting individual searches removes them from your history, but does not prevent Google from collecting future searches unless you turn off Web & App Activity.
- Incognito mode in Chrome and private browsing in other browsers do not send searches to your Google history.
Filtering and searching your activity
If your history is long, you can narrow it down using the search box at the top of myactivity.google.com. Type a word or phrase you remember searching for, and Google will show only matching results. This is faster than scrolling through months of activity.
You can also filter by date using the calendar icon on the left side. Click it to select a specific date range — for example, the last week, the last month, or a custom range. Below the date filter, you will see product categories like "Search", "Maps", "YouTube", and "Chrome". Click one to see only activity from that product.
Combining filters helps you find what you need. For example, you could filter to show only Google Search activity from the last 30 days, then search within that for a specific term.
Deleting searches from your history
To delete a single search, hover over it and click the trash icon that appears on the right. Google removes it when ready from your history. To delete multiple searches at once, check the boxes next to each one, then click "Delete" at the top.
You can also delete all activity from a date range. Click the three-dot menu icon at the top right of myactivity.google.com, select "Delete activity by", choose your date range, and confirm. This removes all activity — not just searches — from that period across all Google products.
Deleting individual searches does not change your privacy settings or stop Google from collecting future searches. It only removes the record of past searches from your account.
Turning off search history collection
If you do not want Google to store your searches going forward, turn off Web & App Activity in your Google Account settings. Go to myaccount.google.com, click "Data & privacy", find "Web & App Activity", and toggle it off. This stops Google from saving your searches, but you will still be able to use Google Search normally.
Turning off Web & App Activity does not delete your existing history — it only prevents new searches from being added. If you want to clear everything, delete your history first, then turn off the setting.
Be aware that turning off Web & App Activity may affect some Google features. For example, Google will not be able to show you personalized search suggestions based on your past searches, and some Google services may work differently.
Using private browsing to avoid history
If you want to search without adding to your Google history, use Incognito mode in Chrome or Private Browsing in Firefox, Safari, or Edge. When you search in these modes while signed into your Google Account, the search does not appear in myactivity.google.com.
Private browsing does not make you anonymous online — your internet service provider and the websites you visit can still see your activity. It only prevents your browser from storing local records and stops Google from adding searches to your account history.
To open Incognito mode in Chrome, press Ctrl+Shift+N on Windows or Cmd+Shift+N on Mac. In Firefox, press Ctrl+Shift+P on Windows or Cmd+Shift+P on Mac. In Safari, press Cmd+Shift+N.
What Google stores beyond search terms
Your Google activity history includes more than just what you searched for. It also records the date and time of each search, which device you used, your approximate location (if location services are on), and which search result you clicked. If you use Google Maps, Gmail, YouTube, or other Google services while signed in, those activities appear in the same history feed.
You can see all of this detail by clicking on any individual activity entry. Google shows the exact time, the device type, and sometimes your location at the time of the search. This information helps Google personalize your experience, but it also means your history is more detailed than just a list of search terms.
Checking history on different devices
Your Google search history is the same across all devices because it is tied to your Google Account, not to any single computer or phone. If you search on your phone while signed in, that search appears in myactivity.google.com when you check it on your laptop. The history page shows which device you used for each search.
If you share a device with someone else and you are both signed into your own Google Accounts, each person has a separate history. Make sure you are signed into your own account before checking your history, or you will see the other person's activity instead.
If you use a shared device and do not want your searches added to your account history, sign out of your Google Account before searching, or use Incognito mode while signed in.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I see my Google search history if I forgot my password?
No. You must sign into your Google Account to view myactivity.google.com. If you forgot your password, use the account recovery process at accounts.google.com to regain access. You will need to verify your identity using a recovery email or phone number.
Does clearing my browser history delete my Google search history?
No. Clearing your browser history only removes the record stored on your computer. Your Google search history is stored in your Google Account online and remains in myactivity.google.com until you delete it there. You must delete it separately from your Google Account settings.
Why do some searches not appear in my history?
Searches made in Incognito or Private Browsing mode do not appear in your history. Searches made while signed out of your Google Account also do not appear. If Web & App Activity is turned off, new searches will not be added. Searches older than a certain period may also be automatically deleted depending on your retention settings.
Can I read a copy of my search history?
Yes. Go to myaccount.google.com, click "Data & privacy", then find "read your data". You can select which Google products to include and read your data as a file. This creates a backup of your activity that you can keep on your computer.
If I delete my search history, can Google still see it?
Deleting your history removes it from myactivity.google.com, but Google's servers may retain copies for internal purposes. To prevent Google from collecting new searches, turn off Web & App Activity. This is the only way to stop Google from recording your searches going forward.