How to Turn Off Trending Searches on Google in 2025

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Author

Inessa takes care of our beloved user community on Facebook and helps with video production. The rest of the time she does sports, reads a lot of fiction and drinks tea.

Date

Jan 31, 2025

Why it matters
How to turn off Google trending searches on Android
How to turn off trending searches on Windows, Mac, or iPad
How to turn off Google trending searches on iPhone
How to turn off trending searches in the Google App
Troubleshooting common issues with trending searches
How to improve your search experience further
FAQs About Trending Searches

If you’ve ever opened Google and been greeted by a list of trending topics that have no relevance to your life, you’re not alone. While trending searches are intended to inform users about popular queries, they often feel intrusive, irrelevant, or even distracting.

Whether it’s viral memes, celebrity news, or sports updates, these suggestions can clutter your search experience and even raise concerns about privacy.

Here's how trending searches look like

For many users, the primary issue is that trending searches take the focus away from their intent. Some worry these suggestions reflect their browsing behavior, while others feel overwhelmed by topics that don’t align with their interests.

Note

Some people—like SEOs and digital marketing specialists—may actually want to track trending searches for their projects. If that’s your case, we recommend checking keyword data in SEO PowerSuite’s Rank Tracker for more in-depth insights.

Why it matters

Trending searches may seem harmless, but they can have a bigger impact on your browsing experience than you might expect. Here’s why they matter and why you might want to turn them off.

Privacy concerns: the appearance of trending searches may feel like an invasion of privacy, even if it isn’t directly tied to your personal activity.
Distractions: constantly seeing unrelated trending topics can disrupt your focus.
Lack of personalization: these searches rarely reflect individual interests, making them less helpful.
Unwanted influence: trending searches can unconsciously steer your thoughts toward irrelevant or trending topics.

If you find trending searches more annoying than helpful, the good news is that Google allows you to turn them off. This guide explains how to do so across various platforms and devices.

Whether you’re using Chrome, Firefox, or a lesser-known browser like Brave or Edge on Android, here’s how you can disable trending searches:

For Chrome:

Open the Chrome browser and visit google.com.
Tap the hamburger menu (three lines) in the top-left corner.

Select "Search settings" from the sidebar.

Tap “Other settings” at the top of the page.

Scroll down to the "Autocomplete with trending searches" option and disable it.

Google will automatically save your changes.

For Firefox:

Open the Firefox browser and navigate to google.com.
Tap "Settings" at the bottom of the homepage.

Scroll down to the "Autocomplete with trending searches" section and then select the “Do not show popular searches” option

Scroll down and click “Save”.

For Brave:

Open Brave and navigate to google.com.
Tap the hamburger menu at the top left corner
Select "Search settings."
Tap “Other settings” at the top of the page.
Scroll down to the "Autocomplete with trending searches" section and disable it.
Save your preferences by tapping "Save."

For Microsoft Edge:

Open the Edge browser and go to google.com.
Tap the three-dot menu in the bottom-right corner and select "Settings."
Navigate to "Privacy and search" and disable autocomplete for trending searches.

These steps work for all major browsers, including Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge:

Open your browser and go to google.com.
Click "Settings" in the bottom-right corner of the homepage, then select "Search settings."

Choose “Other settings” in the left sidebar.

Scroll down to the "Autocomplete with trending searches" option and disable it.

Google will save the new settings automatically.

For iPhone users, here’s how to turn off trending searches across different browsers:

For Safari, Chrome and Firefox:

Open your browser on iPhone and visit google.com.

Tap the hamburger menu at the top left corner.

Select "Search settings" in the sidebar that appears.

Tap “Other settings” at the top of the page.

Scroll down until you see “Autocomplete with trending searches" and disable this option.

The updated settings for trending searches will be saved automatically.

If you prefer searching with Google app, you can follow the instruction below to turn off trending searches:

Open the Google app on your device.
Tap your profile picture or initials in the top-right corner (the interface may differ depending on whether you’re signed in or not).

Navigate to "Settings"

Tap “General”.

On Android devices, tap "Autocomplete settings" (skip this step if you’re on iOS).

Toggle off "Autocomplete with trending searches."

Disabling trending searches is usually straightforward, but sometimes users face persistent issues. Here are some common problems and how to fix them:

1. Google trending searches keep reappearing

Ensure you’re signed into your Google account. Changes made while logged out won’t apply across sessions.
Clear your browser’s cache and cookies, as saved data may conflict with the new settings.
Restart your browser to apply the changes immediately.

2. “Autocomplete with trending searches” option is missing

Check for updates to your browser or Google app. Missing settings often result from outdated software.
Make sure you’re using google.com rather than a regional version (e.g., google.co.uk or google.ca), as settings may differ.

3. Changes aren’t syncing across devices

Google settings don’t always sync automatically across devices. Repeat the process for each device you use. Check that you’re signed into the same Google account on all devices.

4. Bugs or Glitches

If the feature persists due to a bug, try uninstalling and reinstalling your browser or the Google app.
Switch to an alternative browser temporarily while troubleshooting.

For many people, Google’s trending searches aren’t just an occasional nuisance—they’re a daily source of distraction, cluttering their search experience with irrelevant or intrusive topics. But those who’ve disabled the feature say it has made a significant difference:

“I used to think trending searches were just a minor annoyance until I realized how often they were influencing what I searched for. Since turning them off, I feel like I’m actually using Google for what I need, rather than getting sidetracked by whatever happens to be trending.” — Reddit user

“It always frustrated me to see completely random topics pop up when I just wanted to look something up quickly. Now that I’ve turned them off, my searches feel more intentional, and I’m no longer bombarded with topics I have zero interest in.” — Forum contributor

“As someone who works in a fast-paced environment, I don’t have time for distractions. I didn’t realize how much those trending suggestions were pulling my attention away until I disabled them. Now, I get my answers faster and without unnecessary noise.” — Productivity advocate

These experiences highlight just how much of a difference a small setting change can make. Removing trending searches not only eliminates distractions but also restores a sense of control over your search experience.

How to improve your search experience further

Use incognito mode for privacy, as it prevents saved activity from influencing suggestions.
Explore privacy-focused search engines like DuckDuckGo, which don’t display trending searches.
Review your Google account settings regularly to customize your experience.
Turn off location-based results in your Google account to reduce irrelevant suggestions.

What are trending searches on Google?

Trending searches are popular queries reflecting current events or topics. They appear as suggestions when you type in the Google search bar.

Why does Google show trending searches?

Google showcases trending searches to inspire users and highlight widely searched topics. This feature also helps boost engagement.

Can I turn trending searches back on?

Yes, you can re-enable trending searches by reversing the steps outlined above.

Why are my settings not saving?

Ensure you’re signed into your Google account and using the latest version of your app or browser. Clear cache and cookies if the problem persists.

Should I disable trending searches?

If you find them distracting or irrelevant, disabling trending searches can provide a cleaner, more focused search experience.

Conclusion

Trending searches can be useful for staying informed but are often irrelevant or distracting for many users. By following the expanded steps and troubleshooting solutions in this guide, you can easily turn off trending searches on all your devices. Whether you value privacy, focus, or simplicity, this guide ensures your search experience remains tailored to your needs.

If you ever decide to re-enable trending searches, the process is just as easy. Until then, enjoy a cleaner and distraction-free Google experience.