By deleting your recent search history, you can maintain your privacy and hide your browser browsing information from third parties who can access your computer and account information. Most browsers and search engines have a built-in feature that allows you to clear and delete all browsing history, including recent searches. This wikiHow teaches you how to delete recent search entries on most of the most popular internet platforms.
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Method 1 of 5: Clearing Search History on Google
Step 1. Visit https://myactivity.google.com via a web browser
This site is a web page containing your Google account activity. This activity includes searching on Google, as well as using other services linked to a Google account, such as YouTube, Google Assistant, and the Google Play Store.
- If you are not logged into your account automatically, click “ Sign In ” in the upper right corner of the screen. Click account, enter password, then click “ Next " to enter. If you don't see the account you want to use, click “ Use another account "Log in using the appropriate account email address and password, then click " Next ”.
- If you use Google services without logging into your account, you can clear your search history by clearing your browser history. You can clear history on Google Chrome, Internet Explorer, Firefox, and Safari.
Step 2. Click + Filter by Date & Product
It's below the search bar, at the top of the page.
Step 3. Select the deletion time range (date)
Use the drop-down menu at the top of the screen to specify a time range. You can select " Today " (today), " Yesterday " (yesterday), " Last 7 Days " (last week), " Last 30 Days " (last month), " All Time " (anytime), or " Custom " (range is determined by you).
If you select " Custom ", use the calendar menus under the drop-down menu to specify the start and end dates of the time range. Click the calendar icon on the left to set the start date. After that, click the calendar icon on the right side to specify the end date
Step 4. Click the Search tab
This tab is in the product list under the "Filter by Google Product" option, at the bottom of the window. The selected tab will be displayed in blue indicating that the tab has been marked.
You can also click on other Google products, such as " Video Search ", " Image Search ", " Assistant ", and more
Step 5. Click Apply
It's in the lower-right corner of the window. The search activity performed within the selected time range will be displayed.
Step 6. Click
It's the three vertical dots icon to the right of the search bar, at the top of the page. A drop-down menu will open afterwards.
Step 7. Click Delete Results
It's in the drop-down menu that opens when you click the three-dot icon next to the search bar, at the top of the page.
Alternatively, you can swipe across the screen and click on the three-dot icon (⋮) next to each search entry, then select “ Delete " You can also click the trash can icon next to a specific date in the list of search entries.
Step 8. Click Delete
It's in the lower-right corner of the warning pop-up window. Search entries entered within the selected time range will be deleted.
You can also delete Alexa, Skype, Yahoo, and Pinterest search history
Method 2 of 5: Clearing Search History on Facebook
Step 1. Open Facebook
The Facebook app is marked by a blue icon with a white "f". Touch the icon on the home screen or apps menu to open the Facebook app on a mobile device.
- Alternatively, you can visit https://www.facebook.com through a web browser to access Facebook on a computer.
- If it doesn't log into your account automatically, type in your Facebook account email address and password, then click or tap “ Log in ”.
Step 2. Touch the home icon (on mobile apps only)
This icon is the first tab in the upper-left side of the Facebook application window. Touch the icon to display the main feed page.
Step 3. Click or touch the magnifying glass icon
On mobile apps, it's in the upper-right corner of the screen. On your computer's web browser, it's next to the search bar, at the top of the page.
Step 4. Click or tap Edit (“Edit”)
It's at the top of the list of search results, on the right side of the screen. This button is only shown if there is no entry in the search bar.
Step 5. Click or tap Clear Searches
This option is at the top of the list of recent search entries. On the mobile app, the list of recent search entries will be emptied. In the web browser, a confirmation pop-up window will be displayed.
Step 6. Click Clear Searches (on the Facebook desktop site only)
With this option, you confirm deletion of recent search entries and clearing of search history.
Method 3 of 5: Clearing Search History on Instagram
Step 1. Launch Instagram
This app is marked by a colorful icon with a camera symbol. Tap the icon on the home screen or app menu to open Instagram.
If you don't log in to your account automatically, touch “ Login ”, type in your username, email address, or phone number and account password, and select “ Login ”.
Step 2. Touch the human icon
It's in the lower-right corner of the Instagram app window. Your account page will be opened.
Step 3. Touch
It's an icon with three horizontal lines in the upper-right corner of the “Account” page.
Step 4. Select Settings
It's next to the gear icon, at the bottom of the page. The settings menu (“Settings”) will be displayed afterwards.
Step 5. Touch Security (Android) or Privacy and Security (iPhone).
It's next to the shield icon in the “Settings” menu.
Step 6. Scroll down and select Clear Search History
This option is at the bottom of the “Security” page.
Step 7. Touch Clear Search History
This option is indicated by blue text at the top of the page.
Step 8. Touch Clear History (Android) or Yes I'm sure (iPhone).
The search history will be cleared.
Method 4 of 5: Clearing Search History on Twitter
Step 1. Open Twitter
The Twitter app is marked by a blue icon with a picture of a bird. Touch the icon to open Twitter on a mobile device.
If you are not logged into your account automatically, touch “ Login ” at the bottom of the page. After that, enter the account email address and password, then select “ Login ”.
Step 2. Touch the magnifying glass icon
This icon is the second button displayed on the screen. After that, the search page will be displayed.
Step 3. Touch the search bar
This bar is at the top of the page. The most recent search entries will be displayed.
Step 4. Touch the "x" icon
It's at the top of the page, opposite the "Recent" option.
Step 5. Touch Clear
It's in the pop-up window (Android) or next to the "Recent" option (iPhone/iPad). Touch " clear ” to clear search history.
Method 5 of 5: Clearing Search History on Bing
Step 1. Visit https://account.microsoft.com/account/privacy via a web browser
This site is the official Microsoft Privacy web page.
- If you don't log into your account automatically, click " Sign In ” in the upper right corner of the screen and sign in using your Microsoft account email address and password.
- If you're using Bing without signing in to your Microsoft account, you can clear your search history by clearing your browser history. Removal can be done on Google Chrome, Internet Explorer, and Firefox.
Step 2. Click Sign in with Microsoft
This blue button is below the bold text "Stay in control of your privacy".
Step 3. Click Email [your email address]
It's next to the envelope icon. A confirmation email will be sent.
Step 4. Check the email account
Keep your browser open and use an email app for the email address associated with your Microsoft account. Look for an email from the Microsoft account team with the title " Microsoft account security code ". This email contains a 6-digit security code.
Step 5. Enter the security code and click Verify
After receiving the security code from the email, return to the browser tab that contains the Microsoft account page. Enter the code on the bar and click “ Verify ”.
Step 6. Click View and clear search history
This gray bar is below the box labeled "Search history".
Alternatively, click “ View and clear browser history ” to clear Microsoft Edge browsing history.
Step 7. Click Clear activity
It's blue text at the top right of the search history list. You can see it next to the trash can icon.
Step 8. Click Clear
It's a gray button at the bottom of the alert page. The search history will be cleared afterwards.
