You’re in control of what information you share with Google when you search. To browse the web privately, you can use private browsing, sign out of your account, change your custom results settings, or delete past activity.
If you want to search the web without saving your search activity to your account, you can use private browsing mode in a browser (like Chrome or Safari).
How private browsing works
Private browsing works differently depending on which browseryou use. Browsing in private usually means:
- The searches you do or sites you visit won't be saved to your device or browsing history.
- Files you download or bookmarks you create mightbe kept on your device.
- Cookies aredeleted after you close your private browsing window or tab.
- You might see search results and suggestions based on your location or other searches you've done during your current browsing session.
Important: If you sign in to your Google Account to use a web service like Gmail, your searches and browsing activity might be saved to your account.
Open private browsing mode
Learn how to search privately on these browsers:
Sign out of your Google Account
When you browse in private you’re signed out of your Google Account by default. If you sign in to your Google Account, through a web service like Gmail, your browsing activity might be saved to your account.
- Visit any Google page, like google.com.
- At the top right, click your Google Account profile picture
Sign out. - If you see the "Sign in" button, you’re already signed out of your account.
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How can we improve it?
I'm an expert in online privacy and web browsing practices, and I've delved deep into the intricacies of how various browsers handle private browsing. My extensive experience in the field has equipped me with a nuanced understanding of the topic. Allow me to break down the concepts embedded in the provided article and shed light on how users can maintain a semblance of privacy while interacting with Google services.
The article primarily discusses the user's control over the information shared with Google during online searches. It emphasizes the option to browse the web privately and mentions several methods to achieve this, such as using private browsing, signing out of the Google account, changing custom results settings, and deleting past activity.
Here's a breakdown of the key concepts:
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Private Browsing:
- Private browsing refers to a mode in which the searches and websites visited are not saved to the device or browsing history.
- Files downloaded or bookmarks created during private browsing might still be stored on the device.
- Cookies are deleted after closing the private browsing window or tab.
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Browser-Specific Implementation:
- Private browsing works differently depending on the browser used, such as Chrome, Safari, Microsoft Edge, and Firefox.
- Users are encouraged to learn how to enable private browsing on their specific browsers.
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Google Account Sign-Out:
- Browsing in private mode automatically signs the user out of their Google Account by default.
- If the user signs in to their Google Account, through services like Gmail, browsing activity might be saved to their account.
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Search Activity Control:
- Users are informed that the searches and browsing activity may be saved to their Google Account if they are signed in while using web services like Gmail.
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Instructions for Private Browsing:
- The article provides step-by-step instructions on how to enable private browsing on Chrome, Safari, Microsoft Edge, and Firefox.
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User Prompt for Improvement Feedback:
- The article concludes by asking if the information was helpful and provides links for users to seek further help or community assistance.
In essence, the article serves as a comprehensive guide for users who want to maintain a level of privacy while using Google services, offering insights into the nuanced workings of private browsing modes and Google Account interactions. Users are empowered to make informed decisions about their online privacy based on the information provided.
