Safe Search filters out adult content and violent material from your search results
Safe Search is a filter that removes explicit images, adult websites, and graphic violence from your search results. Google, Bing, and YouTube all have their own versions. You can turn it off in your account settings, on your device, or both — the method depends on which search engine you use and whether you want the change to stick across all your devices or just one.
Safe Search is on by default for most people. If you want to see unfiltered results, you need to disable it yourself. The setting stays off until you turn it back on, though some schools and workplaces force it on at the network level, which means you cannot turn it off from your device alone.
Key Takeaways
- Google Safe Search turns off in your account settings under "Search settings," and the change applies to all devices where you are signed in.
- Bing Safe Search is in the settings menu at the bottom of the search page, and you can turn it off for that browser only or for your account.
- YouTube Restricted Mode is a separate setting in your account that hides mature content; turning it off requires signing in and changing your account preferences.
- If Safe Search stays on no matter what you do, your school, workplace, or internet provider may be forcing it at the network level.
How to turn off Google Safe Search
Go to google.com/search/settings in any browser where you are signed into your Google account. Scroll down to the "SafeSearch" section. You will see three options: "Filter explicit results," "Strict," or "Moderate." Click the radio button next to "Do not filter my search results" or the equivalent option (the exact wording changes sometimes, but it is the least restrictive choice).
Click "Save" at the bottom of the page. The change takes effect when ready and applies to all devices where you are signed into that Google account. If you use Google without signing in, Safe Search will still be on — you need to be logged in for the setting to carry over.
If you want to turn off Safe Search only on one device or browser, you can also do it through your browser's search settings. In Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge, go to your search engine settings (usually found in the browser menu or preferences) and look for the Safe Search toggle. This method works even if you are not signed into a Google account, but the setting only applies to that browser on that device.
How to turn off Bing Safe Search
Go to bing.com and look for the settings icon (usually three horizontal lines or a gear icon) at the bottom right of the page. Click "Settings," then select "Search settings." Under "SafeSearch," choose "Off." Click "Save" at the bottom.
If you are signed into your Microsoft account, this change applies to all devices where you use Bing while signed in. If you are not signed in, the setting applies only to that browser on that device. Unlike Google, Bing does not have a separate account settings page for Safe Search — you change it from the search page itself.
How to turn off YouTube Restricted Mode
Restricted Mode is YouTube's version of Safe Search. It hides videos marked as mature content. To turn it off, sign into your YouTube account and click your profile picture in the top right corner. Select "Restricted Mode" from the menu. Toggle it to "Off."
Restricted Mode applies to your account across all devices where you are signed in. If you watch YouTube without signing in, Restricted Mode will still be on. Some schools and libraries force Restricted Mode on at the network level, which means you cannot turn it off from your account settings alone — you would need to use a different network.
What to do if Safe Search will not turn off
If you have turned off Safe Search in your account settings but results are still filtered, your school, workplace, or internet service provider is likely forcing it at the network level. This is a network-wide setting that overrides your personal settings.
You can confirm this by trying Safe Search on a different network — use your phone's mobile data instead of your home Wi-Fi, or go to a coffee shop with public Wi-Fi. If Safe Search turns off on the other network, the problem is your home or work network. If it stays on everywhere, the issue is your account or device settings.
If your network is forcing Safe Search on, you have limited options. You can ask your network administrator (your IT department at work, or your school's tech support) to disable it. At home, you can check your router settings — some routers have content filters that block adult sites. You would need to log into your router (usually at 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1) and look for a parental controls or content filter section.
Safe Search on mobile devices
On Android, open the Google app and tap your profile picture in the top right. Go to "Settings," then "General," then "SafeSearch." Toggle it off. The change applies to all devices where you are signed into that Google account.
On iPhone or iPad, open Safari and go to google.com/search/settings while signed into your Google account. Follow the same steps as on a computer. You can also change Safe Search in the Google app by tapping your profile picture, selecting "Settings," then "General," then "SafeSearch."
For YouTube on mobile, sign in, tap your profile picture, select "Settings," then "General," then toggle "Restricted Mode" off. The change applies to your account across all devices.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does turning off Safe Search affect other people using my device?
Only if they are signed into your account. If they sign into their own Google, Microsoft, or YouTube account, they will see their own Safe Search settings. If they use the device without signing in, they will see the default settings (usually Safe Search on). You can set up separate user accounts on your device to keep settings separate.
Will turning off Safe Search slow down my internet?
No. Safe Search is just a filter applied to results — it does not affect your internet speed. Turning it off or on makes no difference to how fast your connection works.
Can I turn off Safe Search for some searches but not others?
Not directly. Safe Search is an all-or-nothing setting in your account. Once you turn it off, it stays off for all searches until you turn it back on. Some search engines let you add a special code to a search to bypass Safe Search for that one search, but this is not an official feature and may not work reliably.
What happens if I turn off Safe Search and then forget about it?
Nothing bad happens to your account. Safe Search is just a content filter — turning it off does not change how your account works or expose you to security risks. You can turn it back on anytime by going to the same settings page and selecting the filtered option.