About Google Search History

You get better search results and recommendations across Google's products when your Search History is turned on.

Your Search History is private, and you can only see your history if you're signed in to your Google Account.

View and manage your Search History

When you create a Google Account, Google Search History is automatically turned on. You can see your Search History or change your settings at www.google.com/history. Learn how to delete your Search History, save your Search History, or edit your Search History on your mobile device.

What's in your Search History

Google Search History saves information about your searches along with details about your browser including:

  • Searches on Google from both browsers and apps, including where the search originated
  • Results that are returned, including results from on-device data and private results from Google products like Google+, Gmail, and Google Calendar
  • Your activity with search results, including results that you click
  • Ads you respond to by clicking the ad itself or completing a transaction on the advertiser’s site
  • Your IP address
  • Your browser type and language
  • Your searches and other activity on Google Maps, including maps around the web

How the information collected from Google Search History is used

See the Privacy Policy FAQ for more information about how Google treats search queries generally.

Browser history

Your past searches and other web activity may also be stored in your browser. Learn more about managing your browser history on Chrome, Safari, Internet Explorer, and Firefox.

How history works when you're signed out

Your search and ad results may be customized using search activity from your computer even if you're signed out. To turn off this type of customization, follow these steps:

  1. Visit google.com/history/optout when not signed in to a Google Account.
  2. Click Disable customizations based on search activity. This will turn the setting off for anyone who uses the same browser and computer as you.

Troubleshoot issues with Search History

Search History not appearing

There are a number of reasons you may not see your searches in your Google Search History:

  • Search History is only recorded when you’re signed in to your Google Account.
  • Search History only records certain types of searches, including Web Search, Images, News, Shopping, Maps, and Books.
  • You won’t see all the sites you visit unless you have the Google Toolbar installed.
Search History you don’t recognize

Google Instant

If you have Google Instant turned on, when you type a search and pause, the predicted search will be saved in your Search History. The predicted searches will also be saved if you begin to type a query on Google then click anywhere on the page, like a search result, ad, or spelling correction. These searches aren’t considered unusual activity.

Using your account on the web

If you notice unusual activity in your Search History that is unrelated to Google Instant predictions, it’s possible that you visited a third party website or blog that has embedded Google Search or Google Maps onto the page, such as a list of search results, driving directions, or other uses. When signed in to Google, these embedded results may be saved in your Search History, which you can see at www.google.com/history.

Other unusual activity

If neither of the two scenarios above apply to you, it’s possible that your Google Account is signed in to a public computer where other people can search with your account or someone has accessed your computer or your Google Account. Learn how to keep your account secure.