How to Delete Google Search History

Amy Dennis

Jan 15, 2024 • Filed to: Recover Files • Proven solutions

Web search history is saved in all browsers. The only time when they aren't saved is when you have private browsing or incognito mode turned on. In incognito mode, your browsing history is not recorded and the websites you visit are usually not cached.

Apart from browsers, services also record history to improve user experience —Google search is not an exception.

In some cases, users cannot delete or clear their google search history, their browser data (history, cookies, and caches).

When using Google's search engine, irrespective of the browser you are using, Google saves your search queries. If you have struggled or still struggling with finding and deleting your Google search history or data —or simply can't find where they are located... it's a good thing you found yourself here today.

This page will expose the various ways and workarounds for clearing or entirely deleting google search history. You will also learn how to view your Google search history on Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Google's MyActivity (Web).

Part 1: How to view Google Search history on Various Browsers (Chrome, Safari, Firefox)

If you don't know where to find your search history, simply follow the steps provided underneath to view them.

How to view search history on Chrome?

Please follow the steps below to view browsing history on your Chrome browser.

Step 1: Launch your browser.

Open your browser and locate the 3 dots or the red arrow for outdated versions (Chrome Mobile version) and click on it.

Step 2: Click on History.

Select 'History' from the displayed menu items… something like the picture below.

Alt: menu-history

Step 3: Click on Chrome history and view your entire browsing history

How to view browser history on Firefox?

Please follow the steps below to view browsing history on Firefox.

Step 1: Launch your Firefox browser.

Step 2: Click the menu bar

After clicking the menu bar, options will be displayed.

Step 3: Click on "History" from the options.

Step 4: "Show All History"

You can select the date range you want to view history for.

For earlier versions of Firefox, click "View" found in the menu atop the browser and select "Sidebar". Next, select "History" then "View" button. After that, you select the "By Date and Site" option to view your browsing history.

How to view browser history on Safari?

Safari has one of the easiest interfaces for viewing browsing history. Please follow the steps below to view browsing history on Safari.

Step 1: Launch the Safari browser.

Step 2: Click the History tab

Step 3: Next, show all history

Your browsing history will be displayed.

Part 2: How to delete Google Search History on Various Browsers (Chrome, Safari, Firefox)

Follow the steps for your browser to delete its history.

How to Delete History on Chrome?

Step 1: Launch your browser.

Open your browser and locate the 3 dots or the red arrow for outdated versions (Chrome Mobile version) and click on it.

Step 2: Click on History.

Select 'History' from the displayed menu items… something like the picture below.

Step 3: Click on clear browsing history

Clicking "History" from the menu opens a newer window containing the options you need. Locate "Clear browsing history" and click on it. You will be redirected to Chrome settings. At the settings page, you'll see more options like setting duration to clear history (a day, week, month, or even forever).

Step 4: Select the kinds of browser data that you want to erase.

Step 5: Click the "Clear browsing data" button.

Your browsing history will be cleared from chrome but not entirely from your device. At this point, anyone can use a data recovery tool to recover your "Deleted" browsing history.

How to Delete History on Firefox?

Follow the steps below to clear or delete your history on Firefox.

Step 1: Launch Firefox

Step 2: Click the library icon

Step 3: Click history

Step 4: Clear recent history.

That's all. Your browser history will be cleared. But it's important to note that this method doesn't permanently delete the history. A tool suggested in the next part of this article performs a permanent delete.

How to Delete History on Safari?

Follow the simple steps below to clear or delete your browsing history of Safari.

Step 1: Launch your Safari browser.

Step 2: Click the "Safari" or "History" (for older versions of Safari)

Step 3: Select "Clear history".

Your browser's history will be cleared. But can still be recovered by data recovery tools. To permanently delete browser history, use the tool suggested in the next part of this article.

Want to truly and permanently clear or delete your history? Read on to the next section below to learn how to achieve this.

Part 3: How to Completely Erase Google Search History with BitRaser File Eraser

If you want to clear truly clear your browsing history beyond recovery, you should consider using dedicated software or tool to clear it. One of the best tools for deleting browser data is BitRaser software.

Sometimes, after deleting files, the files remain compressed and crumbled somewhere deep in your file partitions –yes, that's why files can be recovered. If you want your browsing history not to be traced, you should consider using the BitRaser software. BitRaser permanently deletes files and browser data (including caches and cookies) for you.

Stellar BitRaser is a software capable of permanently deleting:

• Files and folders
• Installed applications
• Internet data (caches and history)
• Unused drive space

This tool supports 17 Internationally recognized erasure algorithms. These algorithms are capable of permanently erasing data stored in directories and browsers. Learn the simple steps involved in deleting browser data with BitRaser below. Follow the steps below to permanently clear your browsing history with BitRaser.

Steps to Permanently Delete Browsing Data with BitRaser

Step 1: Download and install the software (if it isn't on your device)

Step 2: Launch the BitRaser software

Step 3: Select Internet Activities from the panel on the left side of the software.

Step 4: Select the browser you want to delete traces for (e.g. Google Chrome)

Step 5: Hit the "Erase Now" button.

Your internet traces on the browser you selected should by now be permanently deleted. If repeating the process will make you feel more comfortable, feel free to repeat the process.

Part 4: Managing What Search Activity Google Tracks

• Google openly tracks your activities so this makes it possible for you to manage them yourself. Apart from storing your internet traces and data on browsers, google also stores this information on its servers. Data stored on Google's servers cannot be cleared or deleted from browsers or third-party apps. Good thing google provides a platform for viewing and managing the data it has about you and your search history.
• To manage your activities on google visit https://myactivity.google.com/myactivity. On the page, you will find the various information Google has about you. From the apps you use, when last you used such apps to the search queries you've entered into Google search irrespective of browsers. You will be able to access your recent search history even if you deleted and cleared them from your browsers.
• If you don't want Google tracking your search queries, you should consider using other search services like DuckDuckGo. On the browser level, if you don't want your browsing history recorded, you should browse privately or in incognito mode.

Final Thoughts

Everyone wants to protect their privacy but small things like our browsing history may just give huge things about us away! Found on this page are steps to clear, delete and wipe browser data and traces of internet activities on various browsers. It was also mentioned that clearing browser history from the browsers does not delete the data permanently as they could be recovered by data recovery apps. A tool (BitRaser) was suggested for permanently deleting browser data and internet traces; also the necessary steps to follow.

The steps and procedures explained in the post will hopefully be of help especially if you've been battling with permanently deleting traces of your browsing history but to no avail.