How to Clear Search History On Google

There are many websites that will tell you how to clear your Google search history. Many of those sites are outdated or incorrect. This is the latest as of August 2009 and is correct.

Moreover, there are actually three sources that record your search history. This is the definitive answer to how to clear Google search history.

Instructions

1. FOR INTERNET EXPLORER:
   At the top of the browser you will see: "File Edit View Favorites Tools Help"

   Click "Tools."

2. In drop down menu, select "Internet Options." (If you have not rearranged your menu, this appears at the bottom.)

3. A window will pop up. Look for the section entitled "browsing history." Click the "Delete" button.

4. The window will change and show the various things you can delete. At the bottom of this window, click "Delete All."

   If you would like to save certain things, for example "form data" which saves your name and address information to make filling out forms faster, you can click on each of the specific buttons one by one.

   It will ask you, "Are you sure"? Click Yes.
   To close the window, Click Ok.

5. FOR FIREFOX:
   At the top of the browser you will see:
   "File Edit View History Bookmarks Tools Windows Help"

   Click "Tools."

6. In drop down menu, select "Clear Private Data"

7. A window will pop up. Check all the boxes: browsing history, download history, saved form and search history, cache, cookies, offline website data, saved passwords, and authenticated sessions.

8. Click "clear private data now" button.

9. If you have installed Google Toolbar, or clicked around on your Google Account, there are other places recording search history! See tips below and link at bottom of this article.

Tips & Warnings

• If you have installed Google Toolbar, you need to clear browsing history from the Toolbar application. Simply begin typing in the search bar. In the drop down menu that appears with the search suggestions, notice "clear history" in blue at the bottom right hand corner. Click the link.

• Firefox comes with a Google search window- but this is NOT the same as the Google Toolbar. If you did not install Google Toolbar, deleting the history per the instructions above is enough.

• Your search history may also be recorded on your Google account! See link below.

Resources

• Clear History from Google Account