Google search suggestions come from two places: your own past searches and popular searches. You can remove individual past searches from the suggestion list, turn off trending searches, and clear or pause your search history so fewer personal suggestions appear.
Quick Answer
Click in the Google search box, hover over a past search in the suggestions and click Remove. To stop trending searches, open Google Search settings and turn off Show popular searches (or Autocomplete with trending searches).
How to Remove Google Search Suggestions
- Go to Google and click in the search box.
- Past searches show a clock icon. Hover over one and click Remove (on a phone, touch and hold, then Remove).
- To hide trending searches, open Google Search settings (Settings, Search settings, or Other settings in the app).
- Turn off Autocomplete with trending searches, then click Save.
- To clear personal history, go to My Activity for your Google account and delete Web and App Activity.
- To stop saving it, pause Web and App Activity in your account’s data settings.
Types of Suggestions
| Suggestion | How to remove |
|---|---|
| Your past searches (clock icon) | Click Remove |
| Trending searches | Turn off in Search settings |
| Browser autocomplete | Clear browser history or turn off in the browser |
| Signed-in history | Delete in My Activity |
| Predictions | Cannot be turned off entirely |
Troubleshooting
- Suggestions return: they may come from your browser, not Google. Clear the browser’s history and autofill.
- Setting not saving: allow cookies for Google, or sign in so settings sync.
- On a shared computer, use a private window.
- Related: how to block searches on Google and how to remove shortcuts on the Google homepage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I turn off all autocomplete predictions?
No. Google always shows some predictions, but you can remove trending searches and personal history.
Does removing a suggestion delete it from my history?
Removing it from suggestions deletes it from your search history as well.
Does incognito show my past searches?
No.
Is it the same on the Google app?
Yes, with touch and hold to remove.
Summary
- Click the search box.
- Remove past searches.
- Turn off trending searches.
- Delete activity in My Activity.
- Pause Web and App Activity.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.