In the digital age, most of us use search engines like Google or Bing on a daily basis. We search for everything from recipes to medical advice to shopping items. But how much thought do we give to what happens to our search history after we type that query into the search bar? Can our search history actually be used against us in some way?
What does search history contain?
Your search history contains a record of all the searches you have performed on a particular search engine while logged into your account. For example, if you are logged into your Google account and search for “digital cameras”, “Thai restaurants nearby”, and “low back pain”, Google will have a record of those searches being tied to your account.
Search history may contain:
- Search terms/queries
- Date and time searches were conducted
- Location searches were conducted from (like your IP address)
- Links you clicked on within search results
If you are not logged into an account while searching, your search engine still tracks and stores search history via cookies on your browser, device IP address, etc. But this history is not associated with a personal account.
How long is search history stored?
Google stores search history indefinitely until you manually delete it. Other search engines like Bing or DuckDuckGo may store history for shorter periods before automatically deleting it. Here are some examples:
- Google – indefinitely until manually deleted
- Bing – 6 months
- Yahoo – 90 days
- DuckDuckGo – does not store search history at all
You can manually clear or pause search history in your account settings for most major search engines. But know that your history is typically stored by default.
Who can see your search history?
By default, only you can see your personal search history when logged into your account with a search engine. Search engines do not share your personal history with any other entities without your consent.
However, there are some exceptions where others may be able to access your search history:
- Search engine: The search engine has full access to your history and stores it on their servers.
- Employers: If you use an employer-provided device or network for searches, they may monitor search history.
- ISP: Your Internet Service Provider can see domains you visit but not full search queries.
- Government: Law enforcement may subpoena your search history as part of an investigation or with a search warrant.
- Hackers: Hackers that compromise your account may gain access to search history.
- Family/roommates: Someone with physical access to your device may be able to view browser history.
In most cases, your search history remains private. But in certain scenarios, others could gain access without your consent through legal or illegal means.
Can your search history be used against you legally?
In most legal cases, your search history cannot be used against you directly as evidence due to the Fourth Amendment in the U.S. constitution, which protects against unreasonable search and seizure.
However, under specific circumstances, law enforcement can legally obtain a warrant or subpoena to access your search history as part of an investigation or trial. Reasons may include:
- Searching for information related to carrying out a crime
- Searching for illegal content or activities
- Searching for evidence of criminal conspiracy
- Searching for information that matches details of a crime
Some examples where search records have been legally used in court include:
- Murder cases where the defendant searched for ways to dispose of a body
- Child abuse cases where the defendant searched for child pornography
- Drug trafficking cases where the defendant searched for ways to make methamphetamine
However, these searches had to match closely to criminal activity to be admissible in court rather than just being circumstantial evidence. And prosecutors need probable cause to get a subpoena or warrant approved.
| Can legally obtain search history? | Needs a warrant or subpoena? |
|---|---|
| Law enforcement | Yes |
| Government agency | Yes |
| Employer | Usually no |
So while law enforcement may legally obtain your search records in certain criminal cases with proper procedures, an employer most likely cannot without your consent.
Can search history be used against you outside the law?
Unfortunately, there are ways your search history could be used against you unethically or illegally outside of official legal processes:
- Reputation harm: Out of context searches could be used by hackers or enemies to publicly embarrass.
- Blackmail: Searches for illegal or unethical activity could be used for blackmail.
- Discrimination: Employers could discriminate based on medical, religious, or political searches.
- Identity theft: Criminals could research your details to steal your identity.
You likely have little protection or recourse if your search history is used against you illegally. Unfortunately, the only way to prevent misuse is being cautious about your search behavior.
How can you keep search history private?
If you want to keep your search history more private, here are some tips:
- Use a VPN or private browsing to mask your IP address and location.
- Regularly clear search history manually in account settings.
- Use encrypted search engines like DuckDuckGo.
- Don’t sign into search engine accounts on shared devices.
- Use anonymous search platforms like Startpage.
Being signed out or using privacy modes prevents linking searches to your account profile. Search tools like DuckDuckGo also do not store your history. This makes connecting searches to you much more difficult.
How to manually delete search history
Here are the steps to clear stored search history in your accounts for popular search engines:
- Click account icon > Manage your Google account
- Click Data & Privacy tab > Click Delete options
- Select “Delete activity by” and choose desired range
- Check box for “Search history”
- Click Delete
Bing
- Click Bing icon > Click privacy dashboard
- Find “Manage my data” and click “Delete browsing history”
- Choose date range for deletion
- Check boxes for search history, queries, etc.
- Click “Delete now”
DuckDuckGo
DuckDuckGo automatically deletes search history instantly so no action needed.
Conclusion
Your search history is likely stored by default on major search engines whenever you are logged into your account. In most cases, this history remains private. However, search records could be obtained legally with a warrant by law enforcement or illegally by hackers.
If you want to keep searches more private, using privacy modes, private browsers, and encrypted search tools can help. But ultimately being mindful of your search behavior is wise in the digital age if you want to avoid your history being used against you.