How to Clear Your YouTube History Completely
Hey there, it’s time to dive into the world of YouTube history and learn how to wipe the slate clean. Don’t worry, I’ve got your back. In this guide, I’ll show you step-by-step how to delete your entire YouTube history. So, let’s get started!
First things first, I want you to know that deleting your YouTube history is a breeze. It might seem daunting, but trust me, it’s easier than you think. You’ll have a fresh start in no time.
Now, let’s get into the nitty-gritty. Follow these simple instructions and bid farewell to your YouTube past:
Step 1: Launch YouTube
Open up YouTube on your favorite device and make sure you’re signed in to your account. We’ll be working from there.
Step 2: Navigate to History
Once you’re signed in, click on the three horizontal lines in the top-left corner of the screen to open the YouTube menu. Scroll down and click on “History.”
Step 3: Clear Your History
Now, you’ll see your entire YouTube history laid out before you. It’s like a timeline of your past YouTube adventures. Take a moment to reminisce if you’d like. But remember, we’re here to delete it all.
At the top-right corner of the History page, you’ll find a little trash can icon. Click on it, and a prompt will appear, asking if you’re sure you want to delete your entire YouTube history. Take a deep breath, and with conviction, click “Clear watch history.”
Step 4: Confirm the Deed
Another prompt will pop up, asking you to confirm your actions. This is the point of no return, so be absolutely sure before proceeding. Once you’re certain, click “Clear watch history” again.
Congratulations! You’ve successfully cleared your YouTube history. Take a moment to revel in your accomplishment. Your slate is now clean, and your past adventures will be nothing but a distant memory.
Remember, this process only clears your YouTube watch history. If you want to completely erase your tracks, you also need to clear your search history. Don’t worry, though, it’s a similarly straightforward process.
Simply click on “Search history” in the History menu, and then follow the same steps as before. Click the trash can icon, confirm your actions, and voila! Your search history is gone as well.
So, there you have it. Breathe a sigh of relief, because now you know how to delete your entire YouTube history. It’s a simple process that can bring you peace of mind and a fresh start. Happy streaming!
If you’ve never explored beyond the YouTube search box, you may not realize just how much information YouTube keeps track of for every account. Essentially, everything you do on YouTube, like leaving comments or posting in communities, gets stored in its own history library.
YouTube gives you a choice. You can choose to keep a record of your history or not. However, by default, the information is collected, so chances are you have a very long list to look through.
Having a history has clear benefits. Firstly, it helps YouTube provide recommendations that suit your taste (or at least based on your history).
We all have our guilty pleasures. And if you want to keep them a secret, you might want to remove some videos or searches from your YouTube history.
It’s important to note that simply deleting your browser history won’t solve the problem. Although the video links won’t appear in the address bar, anyone with access to your account can still see everything you’ve searched for and watched on YouTube.
Here are a few ways to avoid this from happening.
Your YouTube History
When you sign into your YouTube account, you usually see a panel on the left side of the screen called Library. If you expand the list, you’ll see the History button.
Click on that, and another menu will appear on the right side of the screen. From this menu, you can search for anything in your watch history. You have the following options:
Get Rid of All Your Watch History
Before you go ahead and click on the Clear All button, you need to decide which type of history you want to delete. YouTube separates your watch history into five different categories.
1. Watch history
This section shows all the videos you’ve watched, even those you haven’t finished watching. You’ll find these videos tagged under ‘Continue Watching’.
2. Search history
Here, you’ll find a list of everything you’ve ever typed in the YouTube search box while using your account.
3. Comments
In this list, you’ll see all the comments you’ve left on videos. However, it won’t show you the replies you’ve received. YouTube will, however, let you know which comments were replies and who they were directed towards.
4. Community
This category displays all the community posts you’ve uploaded.
5. Live chat
These are the live chat messages you’ve sent while interacting with others.
Keep in mind that you can’t delete everything all at once. You can only delete your watch history and search history. So, choose either watch history or search history, and then click on the Clear All button to get rid of them.
Unfortunately, you can’t delete your community posts, live chat messages, and comments in bulk from the YouTube account interface.
Take a Break from Watch History
You also have the option to pause your watch history, which can be handy if you want to keep your YouTube dashboard clean. When activated, YouTube will stop recording and recommending videos you’ve previously watched. However, keep in mind that this might make it harder for you to find what you’re looking for.
Take Control of All Your Activity
If you’re signed in with your Google account, this nifty feature grants you complete control over all your activity, not just on YouTube, but across all your linked devices. Think of it as a one-stop hub where you can manage everything from your saved cookies and browsing history to your travel records and Google Maps searches.
How to Get Rid of Your Search History on iOS Devices
If you’re using an iPhone or an iPad, I’ve got a handy trick for you to clear your search history on YouTube. All you have to do is close the app, and voila! Your search history will vanish into thin air. To do this, just bring up the App Switcher by swiping up halfway on an iPhone X or newer, or double-tap the home button on older iPhones. Then, give the YouTube screen a swipe up.
After you’ve done that, go ahead and reopen the app. You’ll see that your search history is as clean as a whistle.
How to Delete Your Search History on Android
If you’re using an Android device, clearing your search history takes a few more steps, but it’s still totally doable!
1. Open the YouTube app
2. Select Menu
3. Tap on Settings
4. Choose Search
5. Finally, tap on ‘Clear search history’
A Final Thought
If you’re using a computer, deleting your YouTube watch and search histories is actually quite simple.
But be aware that once you clear these histories, your YouTube experience may not be as enjoyable. It will be like starting fresh, as if you’re logging in for the first time or using a new account.
YouTube will then make generic recommendations based on your location, rather than offering personalized suggestions. You won’t see the news updates you prefer, clips from your favorite shows, or new music videos from the bands you follow.
However, we understand that you may need to hide your browsing history if you share a device with someone else. If that’s the case, feel free to share your thoughts in the comments section below.
