You cannot delete your search results from Google's index, but you can remove them from your own search history
Google keeps two separate records: your personal search history (what you searched for) and the public search index (what appears when anyone searches). You control your search history through your Google Account settings. You do not control what appears in Google's public index — that is determined by what exists on the web and Google's crawling rules.
If you want to erase the record that you searched for something, you can delete individual searches or clear your entire history. If you want to remove a webpage from Google's search results entirely, you need the website owner to delete it or request removal through Google Search Console. These are two different problems with two different solutions.
Key Takeaways
- Deleting your Google search history removes the record of what you searched for, but does not change what appears when other people search Google.
- You can delete individual searches from your history or clear all searches from a specific date range through your Google Account settings.
- To remove a webpage from Google's public search results, the website owner must delete the page or request removal through Google Search Console.
- Pausing your search history stops Google from recording new searches, but does not delete searches already recorded.
- Clearing your browser history is separate from deleting your Google Account search history and does not affect either one.
How to delete individual searches from your Google Account
Open Google.com and sign into your account. Click your profile picture in the top right corner, then select "Manage your Google Account." Click the "Data & Privacy" tab at the top.
Scroll down to "My Activity" and click it. You will see a list of everything you have searched for, organized by date. Find the search you want to delete. Click the three-dot menu next to it and select "Delete." The search disappears from your history when ready.
If you want to delete multiple searches at once, you can select the checkbox next to each one, then click "Delete" at the top. This is faster than deleting them one at a time, but you have to find each search manually in the list.
How to clear all your search history at once
Go to myactivity.google.com and sign in. On the left side, click "Delete activity by." You will see three options: "All time," "Last hour," "Last day," "Last week," "Last month," or a custom date range you choose yourself.
Select the time period you want to clear. Then click "Delete" at the bottom. Google will ask you to confirm. Click "Delete" again. All searches from that period disappear from your account.
Be careful with "All time" — this erases every search you have ever done on that Google Account. If you only want to clear recent searches, choose "Last month" or a custom range instead. You can always delete more later if you need to.
How to pause your search history so Google stops recording new searches
Go to myactivity.google.com and sign in. At the top, you will see a toggle that says "Web & App Activity." Click it to turn it off. A blue box will appear asking you to confirm. Click "Pause."
When Web & App Activity is paused, Google stops recording what you search for. Your existing search history stays in your account — pausing does not delete it. If you turn Web & App Activity back on later, Google will start recording again from that point forward.
Pausing is useful if you want to stop Google from tracking your searches without erasing the history you already have. If you want to erase the history too, you need to delete it separately using the method in the section above.
How to remove a webpage from Google's public search results
If you own the website, the fastest way is to delete the page itself. Once the page is gone, Google's crawlers will eventually discover it is missing and remove it from the search index. This usually takes a few days to a few weeks.
If you want it removed faster, you can request removal through Google Search Console. Sign into Search Console with the Google Account associated with your website. Click "Removals" on the left menu, then "Temporary Removals." Enter the URL of the page you want removed and click "Request Removal." Google will remove it from search results for about six months, then it may reappear if the page still exists.
If you do not own the website, you cannot remove it from Google's search results yourself. You can report it to Google if it violates their policies — for example, if it contains your private information or is impersonating you — but Google decides whether to remove it. You can file a report at support.google.com/websearch.
The difference between clearing your browser history and deleting your Google search history
Your browser history (what you see when you press Ctrl+H or Cmd+H) is stored on your computer or phone. Your Google search history is stored in your Google Account on Google's servers. Clearing one does not affect the other.
If you clear your browser history, Google still has a record of your searches in your Google Account. If you delete your Google search history, your browser still has a record of the websites you visited. To truly erase both, you need to do both actions.
Most people think clearing their browser history makes them private, but it only removes the local record on their device. If you are signed into Google while you search, Google is recording it regardless of what you do with your browser history.
How to search without Google recording your activity
Use Incognito mode (in Chrome) or Private Browsing (in Firefox and Safari). When you open a new Incognito window, Google does not record your searches in your account history, and your browser does not save the websites you visit locally.
However, Incognito mode does not make you anonymous to Google. If you are signed into your Google Account while using Incognito, Google still knows it is you searching — it just does not add those searches to your visible search history. Your internet service provider and the websites you visit can still see your activity.
If you want to search without Google knowing it is you, you need to sign out of your Google Account before opening Incognito mode. Even better, use a search engine that does not track you at all, like DuckDuckGo or Startpage.
Frequently Asked Questions
If I delete my search history, can Google still see what I searched for?
Google's servers still have records of your searches even after you delete them from your visible history. Deleting your search history removes it from your account's activity page, but Google retains the underlying data. If you want Google to stop collecting your searches, you need to pause Web & App Activity.
Does deleting my search history make me anonymous online?
No. Deleting your search history only removes the record from your Google Account. Your internet service provider, the websites you visit, and other companies can still track your online activity. To reduce tracking, use Incognito mode, a VPN, or a privacy-focused search engine.
How long does it take for a deleted webpage to disappear from Google search results?
Usually a few days to a few weeks, depending on how often Google crawls the website. If you want faster removal, use Google Search Console to request temporary removal, which takes effect within hours. Temporary removal lasts about six months.
Can I delete someone else's search results from Google?
You can only delete searches from your own Google Account. To remove someone else's webpage from Google's search results, you would need to own that website or file a removal request with Google if the content violates their policies, such as containing private information.
What happens to my search history if I delete my Google Account?
Your search history is deleted along with the rest of your Google Account data. Google gives you a grace period of a few months before permanently deleting everything, so you can recover your account if you change your mind. After that period, your data is gone.