YouTube automatically records your search history when you sign in and start watching videos. While this feature is useful for personalized recommendations, sometimes, you don’t want these content suggestions for different reasons. Therefore, I am here to help you if you want to delete your YouTube search history.
In this blog, I will provide step guides to delete YouTube search history for different devices, including Mac, Windows, iPhone, and Android.
Additionally, I will also cover setting up auto-delete history, deleting specific searches, and preventing YouTube from saving your search history.
With that, let’s begin.
Delete YouTube Search History For Mac And Windows
Below, I have mentioned the steps to delete your YouTube search history for users who primarily use their Mac and Windows to browse their YouTube channels.
To delete YouTube search history for Mac and Windows, follow the steps below.
Step 1: Open YouTube on your Mac.
Step 2: Tap on your Profile icon at the top right corner.
Ensure you’ve switched the account for which you want to delete the YouTube search history.
Step 3: Go to Google Account.
Step 4: Click on Data and Privacy in the left panel next.
Step 5: Scroll down to History Settings, and select YouTube Watch, and search History.
Step 6: Click on the Delete button above your YouTube search list.
Step 7: Select between three options: Delete today, Delete custom range, Delete all time, and proceed.
Note: If you choose Custom range, you must choose what days to delete.
Delete YouTube Search History On Phone & Android
If you’re anything like me, chances are you use YouTube on your phone. Now, deleting your search history on your phone is similar to that of your computer but I have still added the step guide to avoid any confusion.
To delete YouTube search history on your iPhone and Android, check out the steps below.
Step 1: Launch the YouTube app on your phone.
Step 2: There’s your Profile icon at the bottom right corner. Click on it.
Step 3: Go to Google Account.
Step 4: Choose Data & Privacy.
Step 5: Move down to History Settings and, tap on YouTube, watch & search history.
Step 6: Tap the Delete button next to the magnifying glass (search icon).
Step 7: You have the option to choose between Delete Today, Delete Custom Range, and Delete All Time.
Alternate Steps
You can skip a couple of the previous steps and use an even simpler way to remove your YouTube search history. This is one you can follow if you’re interested.
Step 1: Go to your Profile icon and tap the Gear icon at the top right corner to open Settings.
Step 2: Scroll down to Manage all history and select it.
Step 3: Tap the Delete button and continue.
Auto-Delete History Set Up
YouTube allows users to set up an auto-delete history option. Setting up this option for your YouTube history allows the platform to permanently delete your activity older than the time you select from your account. However, please note that some activities may expire sooner than your chosen time frame.
If you’re curious about the steps to set up auto-delete history, please follow the guide.
Step 1: Tap the Profile icon on your YouTube.
Step 2: Click on the Google account option.
Step 3: Select Data & Privacy.
Step 4: Next, click on YouTube watch & search history.
Step 5: Do you see the Auto-delete (off) option under History? Click on it.
Step 6: You will be whisked to a new page where you must Choose an auto-delete option for your YouTube history.
Click on Auto-delete activity older than and select the duration from the drop-down menu.
Step 7: There are 3 options: 3 months, 18 months, and 36 months. Select one according to your preference and tap Next.
Step 8: Choose Confirm/Got it from the bottom right corner to confirm your preference to auto-delete activity older than your chosen months.
How To Delete Specific Searches From YouTube History
Sometimes it’s sufficient to delete a few targeted searches rather than the entire search history. For example, you just have to erase a few coco melon-related searches you did for your kid, and that’s it. Fortunately, YouTube makes it possible, and it is easy to delete specific searches from YouTube history. Here’s how you do it.
Step 1: Launch YouTube on your device.
Step 2: Locate and click the Search icon at the top.
Step 3: Press and hold the specific search you want to remove.
Step 4: A pop-up box will appear with the option that says Remove from search history?
Step 5: Tap Remove to confirm.
How To Stop YouTube From Saving Your Search History?
You can pause YouTube history and stop the platform from saving your search history. Note turning on this option does not erase any of your previous data. In fact, all your previously saved YouTube history will be stored and used to personalize your experience.
Step 1: Visit YouTube on your device and tap your profile icon.
Step 2: Choose Google Account next.
Step 3: Tap and Data and Privacy.
Step 4: Click on YouTube Watch and Search History.
Step 5: Select the Saving your YouTube History option.
Step 6: Tap the Turn Off button.
That’s all! Now your history won’t be recorded.
Related Read:
Conclusion: Eanable Auto YouTube History Delete Setup
YouTube search history is private and only visible to the channel owner. If you wanted to prevent them from seeing your searches, you would probably avoid giving them your device in the first place. If you are still privacy-conscious and want to delete it for any reason, you’re free to do so to manage your privacy better.
If you still have questions, feel free to drop them in the comments!
