YouTube keeps a record of every search you make to improve video recommendations and make it easier to revisit past searches. But sometimes, you may want to remove specific searches or clear everything for privacy reasons. Whether you’re using a shared device, want to clean up your profile, or simply want to refresh your recommendations, knowing how to delete search history on YouTube is essential.
This guide walks you through every method available to delete your search history on YouTube—from clearing specific terms to deleting the entire history. You’ll also learn how to pause tracking and manage your activity across devices.
Why YouTube Tracks Your Search History
YouTube saves your search activity to personalize recommendations, autofill future searches, and improve your overall viewing experience. While this can be convenient, it also means every search you make—no matter how old—can be accessed by anyone using your account or device.
Understanding how to delete search history on YouTube allows you to take control of your privacy and what content shows up in your feed.
How to Delete Search History on YouTube Using a Web Browser
If you access YouTube from a desktop or laptop browser, follow these steps to remove your search history.
Delete Individual Search Terms
- Go to YouTube.com and log in to your account.
- Click on the Search bar at the top.
- A list of recent search terms will appear.
- Hover over the term you want to delete.
- Click the Remove (X) option next to it.
This deletes only the selected term and leaves the rest of your history intact.
Clear Entire Search History
- On YouTube, click your profile icon in the top-right corner.
- Select Your data in YouTube from the dropdown menu.
- Scroll down to YouTube Search History.
- Click on Manage your YouTube Search History.
- Choose Delete and select:
- Last hour
- Last day
- All time
- Custom range
- Last hour
- Confirm your deletion.
This clears your search history across all devices linked to your Google account.
How to Delete Search History on YouTube Mobile App
The YouTube mobile app for Android and iOS also allows you to delete search history.
Delete a Single Search Entry
- Open the YouTube app on your device.
- Tap the search icon at the top.
- Recent search terms will appear.
- Tap and hold the search you want to delete.
- Select Remove from the pop-up menu.
This is perfect for removing one or two searches discreetly.
Delete All Search History
- Tap your profile icon in the top-right corner.
- Go to Settings > History & privacy.
- Tap Clear search history.
- Confirm by tapping Clear search history again.
This deletes all search entries linked to your account from the app and web.
How to Pause Search History on YouTube
If you don’t want YouTube to save your future searches, you can pause the feature.
On Web:
- Go to your YouTube History settings.
- Click on the toggle next to Search history to pause tracking.
- Confirm your choice.
On Mobile:
- Tap your profile icon > Settings > History & privacy.
- Toggle on Pause search history.
This will stop new searches from being recorded but won’t delete past activity.
Manage YouTube History Through Google Account
Since YouTube is owned by Google, your search and watch history are stored in your Google account. You can use your Google Activity controls to manage this data centrally.
Steps:
- Visit myactivity.google.com.
- Click on YouTube History.
- Use the filters to view, delete, or pause search activity.
- You can also enable auto-deletion after 3, 18, or 36 months.
This ensures a clean history over time without manual effort.
Does Clearing Search History Affect Recommendations?
Yes, deleting your YouTube search history can affect your video suggestions. YouTube’s algorithm relies on your search and watch history to tailor content. Once deleted, recommendations may feel more general until new data is collected.
If you’re trying to reset recommendations, deleting both search and watch history is a good start.
Additional Tips to Manage Privacy on YouTube
- Use Incognito Mode: On mobile, tap your profile icon and select Turn on Incognito to search privately.
- Create separate profiles: If you share your account, consider using multiple profiles for different viewing habits.
- Clear watch history too: To fully reset YouTube’s algorithm, delete both watch and search history.
These strategies help maintain privacy and make sure the content you see matches your interests.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I delete search history on YouTube one item at a time?
Click the search bar on YouTube, hover over a past term, and click the X to remove that specific item.
Can I delete my entire search history on YouTube?
Yes, go to Settings > History & privacy and tap Clear search history on mobile or use the web dashboard for more options.
Does pausing YouTube search history delete past entries?
No. Pausing only stops future tracking. You must delete existing history separately through the History settings.
Will clearing search history on YouTube also clear my watch history?
No, deleting search history only removes what you’ve typed in the search bar. Watch history must be cleared separately.
Is YouTube search history stored across all my devices?
Yes, your search history is linked to your Google account and syncs across all devices where you’re logged in.
Knowing how to delete search history on YouTube gives you better control over your digital privacy and content preferences. Whether you want to remove a single term or wipe your entire history, YouTube provides flexible options through its website, app, and Google account settings. You can also pause search history to prevent future tracking.
If you’re trying to manage your YouTube experience or simply want a fresh start, clearing your search history is a simple and effective solution.