How to Turn Off Trending Searches in Google App and Browser

Dilum Senevirathne is a freelance tech writer specializing in topics related to iOS, iPadOS, macOS, Microsoft Windows, and Google web apps. Besides Guiding Tech, you can read his work at iPhone Hacks, Online Tech Tips, Help Desk Geek, MakeUseOf, and Switching to Mac.

Arshmeet has been a tech tinkerer since childhood, but she realized her love for technology and writing about 5 years ago. Since then, she has been honing her skills and helping people figure out how things work, troubleshoot problems, choose the right app and products, and dig deep into the new and old concepts of technology. She is a self-professed Apple Enthusiast who loves debating what’s good and what’s not. It is her passion for finding techniques, hacks, apps, and products that make everyday life simpler.

Google products are fantastic, but certain features are just apain to dealwith or outright distracting. Such as those trending suggestions that show up on your face whenever you want to search for something using the Google app. And if you’re also irritated and tired by it, here’s how to turn off trending searches on Google App and browser.

Apart from being highly annoying, trending searches are often irrelevant. Obviously, not everyone wants to see what others in their locale are searching for. And the fact that these suggestions aren’t personalized at all makes things even worse. Time to get rid of them.

Note: Turning off this feature will also delete all past trending searches. However, if won’tclear your Google App History, that has to be done separately, if needed.

To turn off trending searches on Android or iPhone, you need to dive into the Settings panel. While the overall process is the same, certain UI elements may differ depending on which device you’re using.

Step 1:Launch the Google App and tap your profile icon.

Step 2: Tap Settings.

Step 3: Select General.

Step 4: Next, toggle off ‘Autocomplete With Trending Searches’. (If you don’t see this option, tap Autocomplete settings on your Android device.)

Head back, and then try performing a search. You won’t see trending search suggestions anymore.

To enable trending searches at a later time, simply follow the above steps and toggle on the ‘Autocomplete With Trending Searches’.

Tip: If you don’t want stories on the home tab to distract you either, toggle off Discover (Settings → General) to disable stories (more on this later).

On Mac or Windows

Step 1: Open Google on your browser of choice.

Google.com

Step 2: Click Settings from the bottom-right corner.

Step 3: Select Search settings from the options menu.

Step 4: Under ‘Auto-complete with trending searches,’ select ‘Do not show popular searches’

Step 5: Next, scroll down and click Save and then OK to save the preferences.

On iPhone or Android

Note: Though the overall steps are the same, some UI elements might differ as per the browser you’re using.

Step 1: Open Google on your phone’s default browser or the browser of choice.

Step 2: Tap the hamburger icon (three-line) and select Search settings.

Step 3: Scroll down to the ‘Auto-complete with trending searches’ section and select ‘Do not show popular searches’.

Step 4: Finally, tap Save and then Close.

If you don’t mind having trending searches around, but just want to get some temporary respite from them, consider usingincognitoor private browsing mode.

Furthermore, you also gain the added benefit of your data not being recorded by the Google app. Again the method to enable/disable private browsing may vary as per your device, here’s how you can initiate a private session from the Google app.

Tap your profile icon → select Turn on Incognito → surf as you like. To turn off the session, simply toggle off the Incognito mode from the bottom bar.

However, you will also not receive your usual dose of Discover cards within the Home screen. That happens because the Google app is not linking to your Google Account to generate a personalized news feed.

Regardless, you will still retain the ability to take advantage of core functionalities such as usingGoogle Lens, dark mode, etc.

How to Manage Trending Cards on the Google App Home Page

As you might have observed, the Google app also likes to push out Trending news into your Discover feed. But unlike trending searches, they are highly personalized, so they will likely be more of a boon than a bane.

Thankfully, Google gives you a choice, you can either completely turn off trending cards or choose which topic or genre of news to expect.

Tip: You can alsomanage the language of Google Feedto view trending cards in your regional language.

Unlike the trending cards (Discover section), trending searches can be pointless at times. Thankfully, it’s quite easy to delete all trending searches whether you’re using a Samsung phone, an iPhone, Mac, or Windows.

Have more queries about Google App, ping us in the comments section and we’ll be happy to help.

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Last updated on 21 November, 2023

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