Safe Search filters adult content from your Google results
Safe Search is a Google setting that removes sexually explicit images, videos, and websites from your search results. When you turn it on, Google's filters catch most adult material before it reaches your screen. The setting works across Google Search, Google Images, and Google Videos on any device where you sign in to your Google account.
Safe Search is not a parental control that blocks everything inappropriate — it is a filter that reduces what shows up when you search. A determined person can still find adult content, and some non-adult results get filtered by mistake. But for most everyday searches, Safe Search removes the material you probably do not want to see.
The setting syncs across your devices if you use the same Google account on all of them. If you share a device with family members, each person can have their own Google account with their own Safe Search setting, or you can lock Safe Search on at the account level so it cannot be turned off without a password.
Key Takeaways
- Safe Search is turned on by default for most Google accounts, but you should verify it is active in your settings.
- You can turn Safe Search on or off in Google Search Settings, which you reach from the settings gear icon on the Google homepage.
- Safe Search syncs across all your devices when you are signed into your Google account, so you only need to change it once.
- You can lock Safe Search on so it cannot be turned off without your Google password, which is useful if children use the account.
How to turn Safe Search on in Google Search Settings
Open Google.com in your web browser and look for the settings gear icon in the bottom right corner of the page. Click it and select "Settings" from the menu that appears. This takes you to Google Search Settings, where you will see the Safe Search section near the top of the page.
In the Safe Search section, you will see three radio button options: "Do not filter my search results," "Filter explicit results," and "Lock explicit results." Click the radio button next to "Filter explicit results" to turn Safe Search on. Scroll to the bottom of the page and click the blue "Save" button to explore the change.
If you are signed into your Google account, this setting will take effect when ready on that device and will sync to your other devices within a few hours. If you are not signed in, the setting applies only to that browser on that device and will reset if you clear your cookies.
How to lock Safe Search so it cannot be turned off
If you want to prevent someone from disabling Safe Search — for example, if children use your account — you can lock it in place. Go to Google Search Settings the same way: click the settings gear on Google.com, select "Settings," and find the Safe Search section.
Click the radio button next to "Lock explicit results." Google will ask you to sign in again to confirm your identity. After you sign in, Safe Search is locked and cannot be turned off without entering your Google password. This lock applies to anyone using your account on any device.
If you later want to unlock Safe Search, return to the same settings page, sign in again, and click "Filter explicit results" or "Do not filter my search results." The lock will be removed and the new setting will take effect.
Safe Search on mobile devices and the Google app
If you use the Google app on your phone or tablet, Safe Search works the same way but the menu is slightly different. Open the Google app and tap your profile picture in the top right corner. Select "Settings," then "Search Settings," then scroll down to find the Safe Search section.
Tap the option you want — "Filter explicit results" or "Lock explicit results" — and the change syncs to your account. If you use Safari, Chrome, or another browser on your phone, Safe Search works through your Google account settings, so you do not need to adjust it separately in the app.
What Safe Search does and does not filter
Safe Search removes most sexually explicit images and videos from Google Images and Google Videos. It also filters out websites that are primarily adult in nature. For Google Search text results, the filter is less aggressive — it removes some adult websites but allows news articles, health information, and educational content about sex and reproduction to appear.
Safe Search is not perfect. Some adult content slips through, and some non-adult results get filtered by mistake — for example, educational pages about sexual health or art history might be hidden. If you find that Safe Search is filtering too much or too little, you can adjust it by turning it off or on in your settings.
Safe Search does not protect you from malware, phishing, or scams. It only filters explicit sexual content. For protection against dangerous websites, use a browser with built-in security features like Chrome or Edge, which warn you before you visit known malicious sites.
Why Safe Search is on by default but you should still check
Google turns Safe Search on by default for most new accounts, but the setting can be turned off by anyone who knows where to find it. If you share a device or account with others, someone may have disabled it without telling you. It takes 30 seconds to verify that Safe Search is active.
If you are setting up an account for a child or young person, check that Safe Search is locked on before you give them access to the device. A locked setting cannot be bypassed without your password, which gives you control over what they see in search results.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Safe Search work on Bing or other search engines?
No, Safe Search is a Google feature only. Bing, Yahoo, and other search engines have their own content filters with different names. If you use multiple search engines, you will need to adjust the filter settings in each one separately.
Can someone turn off Safe Search if I lock it?
No. When Safe Search is locked, it cannot be turned off without entering your Google password. If you forget your password, you can reset it through your Google account recovery options, but that requires access to your email or phone number.
Does Safe Search slow down my searches?
No. Safe Search filtering happens on Google's servers before results reach your device, so it does not affect search speed. You will not notice any difference in how fast your results load.
Will Safe Search hide results I actually need to see?
Occasionally, yes. Educational content about sexual health, art history, or medical topics may be filtered. If you need to see results that Safe Search is hiding, you can turn it off temporarily in your settings, do your search, then turn it back on.
Does Safe Search work if I am not signed into my Google account?
Safe Search still filters results, but the setting does not persist. If you clear your browser cookies or use a private browsing window, Safe Search resets to the default. To keep Safe Search active across sessions, sign into your Google account.