How Can You Delete Your Wikipedia Search History?

To delete your Wikipedia search history, follow these steps depending on how you are accessing Wikipedia (web browser or mobile app). Here’s how to clear your search history in different scenarios:

1. On a Web Browser (Desktop)

Method 1: Clear Search History via Wikipedia Settings

1. Go to the Wikipedia homepage: Open Wikipedia in your web browser.
2. Sign in (if you’re not already logged in): To access the history clearing options, you need to be logged into your account.
3. Navigate to “Preferences”:
   • In the top-right corner of the page, click on your username to open the dropdown menu.
   • Select “Preferences” from the menu.
4. Go to the “Search” tab: In the Preferences window, find the “Search” tab (it’s usually near the top).
5. Clear Search History: Scroll down to the “Search history” section. You’ll find an option to “Clear your search history”. Click on that, and your search history will be deleted.

Method 2: Clear Browser History

If you want to clear all traces of your Wikipedia search history in your browser (not just Wikipedia), you can clear your entire browser history:

• Google Chrome: Go to Settings → Privacy and Security → Clear Browsing Data → Check the box for Browsing History, then choose Clear Data.
• Firefox: Go to Menu → Library → History → Clear Recent History → Select the time range (e.g., Everything) → Check Browsing & Download History, then press Clear Now.

2. On a Mobile App (Android or iOS)

For the Wikipedia mobile app on Android or iOS:

1. Open the Wikipedia App: Launch the Wikipedia app on your device.
2. Go to “Search”: Tap on the search bar to reveal your search history.
3. Clear Search History:
   • Android: Tap the three vertical dots (Menu) next to the search bar and select “Clear Search History”.
   • iOS: Tap the X next to individual searches to delete them, or look for a setting option that allows you to clear all search history.

3. In Your Account Settings

If you are signed into a Wikipedia account, Wikipedia allows you to manage and delete your search history through your account settings:

1. Go to your Account: Log into your Wikipedia account, and click on your username at the top-right of the page.
2. Click “Preferences”: Navigate to Preferences.
3. Manage Search History: Look for options related to search preferences or history. Some users can manage or clear their history from here, though the functionality may vary by version.

Conclusion

Clearing your Wikipedia search history is relatively straightforward, whether you’re using the website on a desktop or a mobile app. For complete privacy, you can also clear your browser history if you prefer to remove all traces of your browsing activity.