Delete your search history from Google right now
You can delete your Google search history in about two minutes. Sign into your Google Account, go to myactivity.google.com, and you will see every search you have made while logged in. From there you can delete individual searches, delete everything from a specific date range, or set Google to automatically delete your activity every three or eighteen months. The steps are the same whether you use Chrome, Safari, Firefox, or any other browser — what matters is that you were signed into your Google Account when you searched.
Deleting your history does not erase Google's records that you searched something. It removes the searchable list from your account. Google still knows the search happened, but you will not see it in your activity feed, and it will not be used to personalize your search results or ads going forward.
Key Takeaways
- Go to myactivity.google.com while signed into your Google Account to see and delete your search history.
- You can delete individual searches, everything from a date range, or set automatic deletion every 3 or 18 months.
- Deleting your history removes it from your account but does not erase Google's server records of the search.
- If you use multiple Google accounts or search while not signed in, you will need to delete history separately for each account.
Step-by-step: delete searches one at a time
Open myactivity.google.com in your browser. You must be signed into the Google Account whose history you want to delete. If you are signed into multiple accounts, make sure you are on the right one — your account name appears in the top right corner.
Scroll through your activity feed. Each entry shows what you searched for and when. Hover your mouse over any search result and a trash icon will appear on the right side. Click the trash icon to delete that single search. The entry will disappear from your feed when ready.
Repeat this for as many searches as you want to remove. This method works well if you want to delete a few specific searches but keep most of your history.
Step-by-step: delete everything from a date range
Go to myactivity.google.com and sign in. At the top left, you will see a menu icon (three horizontal lines). Click it and select Delete activity by date.
A window will open with two dropdown menus. The first asks All time or a specific date range. Click the dropdown and choose the range you want to delete — for example, Last hour, Last day, Last week, Last month, or All time. The second dropdown asks what type of activity to delete. Leave it on All activity unless you only want to delete searches (in which case you can select Search).
Click the trash icon at the bottom right. Google will ask you to confirm. Click Delete and all activity from that date range will be removed from your account.
Set up automatic deletion every 3 or 18 months
If you want Google to delete your search history without you having to do it manually, you can turn on automatic deletion. Go to myactivity.google.com, click the menu icon at the top left, and select Auto-delete activity.
A window will appear asking how often you want Google to delete your activity. Your options are Keep all (no automatic deletion), Delete automatically after 3 months, or Delete automatically after 18 months. Choose the option you prefer and click Next. Google will ask you to confirm, and then the setting will be active.
Once you turn on auto-deletion, Google will remove activity older than your chosen timeframe every month. This means your account will always show only recent searches. You can change or turn off this setting at any time by going back to the same menu.
What about searches when you are not signed in?
If you search Google without being signed into your Google Account, that search does not appear in myactivity.google.com. Google may still store it using your IP address or device fingerprint, but it is not tied to your account and will not show up in your activity feed.
However, if you use the same device and browser, Google may still use that search to personalize results and ads. To avoid this, you can search in Incognito mode (Chrome) or Private Browsing (Firefox and Safari). These modes do not send your search history to Google's servers while you are browsing, though your internet service provider can still see what you search for.
Deleting history from multiple Google accounts
If you use more than one Google Account, you will need to delete history separately for each one. Sign out of your current account, sign into the next account, and repeat the deletion steps above. The same applies if you use Google on multiple devices — each device's history is tied to the account you were signed into when you searched.
If you share a device with other people and they use their own Google Accounts, their search history is separate from yours. You can only see and delete your own activity, not theirs.
What happens after you delete your history
Once you delete a search from myactivity.google.com, it stops appearing in your activity feed and Google stops using it to personalize your results and ads. However, Google's internal logs still contain a record that the search happened — you have deleted it from your account, not from Google's servers.
If you have used Google services like Gmail, Maps, or YouTube while signed in, those activities are stored separately and are not deleted when you clear your search history. You can manage those separately in the same myactivity.google.com interface by clicking the menu and selecting the type of activity you want to delete.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does deleting my search history stop Google from tracking me?
No. Deleting your history removes searches from your account and stops Google from using them to personalize results. Google still collects data about your searches and device. To reduce tracking, use Incognito mode, a privacy-focused search engine, or a VPN — but understand that your internet service provider can still see your searches regardless.
Can I delete my search history on my phone?
Yes. On Android or iPhone, open the Google app, tap your profile picture in the top right, select Manage your Google Account, go to the Data & privacy tab, and tap My Activity. From there you can delete searches the same way as on a computer.
If I clear my browser history, does that delete my Google search history?
No. Clearing your browser history (like Chrome history or Safari history) removes searches from your device only. Your Google search history stays in your Google Account unless you delete it at myactivity.google.com. You need to do both to remove searches from both places.
What if I forgot my Google password and cannot sign in?
You will need to recover your account first. Go to accounts.google.com, click Sign in, and then click Forgot password? Follow the steps to verify your identity. Once you regain access, you can delete your search history.
Does Google delete my history if I close my account?
When you delete your Google Account, Google removes your activity from myactivity.google.com and stops using it for personalization. However, Google may retain some data for legal or operational reasons for a limited time. If you want your history gone before closing your account, delete it manually first.