View or delete search history

If you're trying to find a particular video you have searched for in the past, search history may help. Your YouTube search history lets you view your previous search queries on YouTube. Your YouTube and Google search history also influence the recommendations that you see on your Home.

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Note: You can access your search history within the YouTube app via the instructions below. Your search history is also saved in your Google Account if Videos you search for on YouTube is turned on. To view and control your saved activity, visit My Activity .

You're in control — you can clear your entire search history, remove individual search entries from search suggestions, or pause your search history.

  • Search entries you delete will no longer influence your recommendations.
  • After clearing your search history, your past searches will no longer show as suggestions in the search box.
  • Search queries you enter while your search history is paused will not be saved in your search history. 

Keep in mind that any searches you make while logged in to your account will appear in your account's search history across devices.

Note: To view or delete what you've previously watched on YouTube, check out your watch history.

Follow the instructions below for the YouTube app or mobile site.

YouTube app

Pause search history

To pause search history for your account, go to Menu > Settings > History & privacy and toggle Pause search history.

Delete individual searches

You can delete individual searches from your search history when you’re signed in with your account by following these steps:

  1. Tap the search icon .
  2. Tap and hold a suggested search result with the history icon next to it.
  3. Tap Remove on the pop-up asking if you want to remove this entry from your search history.

Clear your entire search history

To clear search history for your account, go to Menu  > Settings > History & privacy and tap Clear search history.

Mobile site

Pause search history

To pause search history for your account, go to Account > History > Search history and tap Pause

Delete individual searches

You can delete individual search entries from your search history when you’re signed in with your account by following these steps:

  1. Go to Account > History > Search history
  2. Select the menu  to the right of the search query and choose Remove from Search history.

Clear search history

To clear search history for your account, go to  Account > History > Search history and tap Clear all.

TV, game console, or media streaming box

  1. Select the Search icon
  2. Select Clear search history
Note: Not all search history features are available in signed-out mode. Please sign in to your account to access all of search history.

View our other articles for more information about watch history, removing recommended content, and improving your recommendations.

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