YouTube is the number one video streaming site. YouTube uploads around 500 hours of content every minute. Unlike Netflix or other streaming platforms, YouTube is run independently by content creators. YouTube makes search and discovery essential.
YouTube also stores the viewer’s activity to help curate personalized content. YouTube stores parts of user activity like comments, search histories and watch histories. You can control this data to protect your privacy. For example, you can view and delete YouTube search histories and manage records.
Because search history stores past searches, it is practical and can be used for future reference. But, it might be considered a privacy invasion by some. YouTube users can erase their YouTube search history. If you feel too cautious, you can delete your search history automatically or block it altogether. These tools are part of the YouTube website and YouTube app.
Your recommendations could be affected by disabling YouTube search history. This guide will explain how to view and remove your YouTube search histories in the YouTube App and the website.
Step-by-step guide on clearing your YouTube history
Below are more details about how to clear your YouTube history in browsers or with the YouTube App.
YouTube search history can be deleted from a browser.
Step 1: Sign in to YouTube
Sign in to your YouTube user account.
Step 2 – Call History
Select the “History” option on the left sidebar under the three-dash symbol to view your YouTube playback history.
Step 3: Delete all YouTube history.
Now, click “Clear your entire watch history” to erase all of YouTube’s History. You can skip this step if the History is only for a short time.
Step 4: Open the history settings
Click “Manage all your history” to remove selected search periods or modify the general settings for YouTube history behavior.
Step 5 – “Delete activity by
Click “Delete activity” to remove your search history or playback from specific times.
Step 6: Set the period that will be deleted.
You can now set the period you want YouTube history to be deleted. You can select the entire period, but you also have options to choose shorter periods, such as “Last Hour” or “Last Day.”
Step 7: Enable automatic deletion
To have YouTube history automatically deleted at regular intervals, click “Set up automated deletions” under the “Delete YouTube Activity” section.
Choose whether Google should automatically remove your activities after three, 18, or 36 months and confirm your choice via “Next.”
YouTube history: How to delete it
Here are some steps to get rid of your YouTube history.
Go to YouTube.com’s homepage
The left sidebar has History.
To delete all of your watch histories, click Clear all. More options are available here:
To stop videos being displayed in your watch record, select Pause.
Select Manage all your History to be taken on a Google page. You can then remove individual videos from the Google list by clicking the “X” button next to each one.
Click the Delete dropdown to select between Delete now, Delete custom area or Delete all times.
You can also end YouTube search records and arrange for searches to be deleted automatically after a time. The two sections at the top of the Google page let you toggle saved search history and clear your cache. You can select any of them to see the options.
YouTube App: How do you clear your YouTube Search History?
These instructions will help you clear your YouTube search histories using the YouTube app iOS or Android.
Open YouTube on your device, and sign in.
An iOS device allows you to select the icon for your account profile in the upper-right corner. On Android, choose the menu icon (three vertical dots)
Select Settings on the next tab.
Scroll down and select Clear Search History in the History section.
A popup asks you to confirm that you wish to delete your search histories. Click OK to delete it.
Tap the magnifying lens icon to delete specific searches in the YouTube app. Below the search field is a list that includes all of your past searches. You can delete searches by tapping the Delete button on iOS. Android users can tap and hold the search term. To remove the search term from your History, wipe Remove in this popup.
YouTube on the Web
You can also remove YouTube search history from Google accounts.
Step 1: Visit your Google account on the internet and go to Data & Privacy menu (refer below for the screenshots).
Step 2: Select the YouTube History Menu and disable the Include searches on YouTube’ option.
Step 3: Select the Pause option from the popup menu to confirm your decision.
How to Clear YouTube History on Roku
Roku has similar commands for a clear view and searches History on Smart TVs. The only difference is that you now have icons for each option instead of a Menu where you can enter the Settings. These instructions are:
Once your YouTube app opens on Roku, click the left arrow on the Roku remote to open its settings menu.
You will reach Settings by pressing the down arrow.
Click on OK.
Click the right mouse arrow to access either Clear Watch History or Clear Search History icons.
Click OK to confirm your selection.
You should delete your search history or view it after you receive the confirmation message.
Why YouTube Search History Clearance is Important
YouTube searches you make under your username cannot be viewed or accessed by anyone other than you or the person using your device. They will only show on devices where your account is logged in. YouTube will show you content based on what your search history has shown.
YouTube displays recommended videos on the YouTube home page based on your search content. YouTube can also automatically suggest other searches based on your search history.
How can I clear my YouTube search history and watch History from my iPhone?
You can clear your YouTube search history and watch history on an iPad like on an iPhone, iPod Touch, or other iOS device.
First, you will need to open YouTube on your iPhone Touch. Then tap your profile image at the top right corner.
Select Settings, then History & privacy.
To remove all data from your watched videos, tap the Clear History button and confirm.
To remove search history from your account, click the Clear search History button.