How to delete amazon search history?

By HotBotUpdated: August 22, 2024

Answer

Amazon keeps track of your search history to provide a more personalized shopping experience. While this feature can be helpful, there are times when you might want to clear your search history for privacy reasons or to maintain a clean slate. This guide will walk you through the steps to delete your Amazon search history, both on desktop and mobile devices, and provide additional tips for managing your Amazon account more effectively.

Deleting Amazon Search History on Desktop

Follow these steps to delete your Amazon search history using a desktop or laptop computer:

Open your web browser and go to the Amazon website.
Sign in to your Amazon account if you haven't already.
In the top-right corner of the page, hover over the "Account & Lists" option.
Click on "Browsing History" from the dropdown menu.
You will be redirected to the "Browsing History" page, where you can see all the items you've recently viewed.
To remove individual items from your browsing history, click the “Remove from view” button below each item.
If you want to clear your entire browsing history, click on the “Manage history” dropdown menu at the top-right corner of the page.
Click the “Remove all items from view” button within the dropdown menu.
You can also toggle the “Turn Browsing History on/off” switch to prevent Amazon from recording your browsing history in the future.

Deleting Amazon Search History on Mobile Devices

For those who use the Amazon app or mobile site, the process is slightly different:

Start

Open the Amazon app on your mobile device or go to the Amazon website using your mobile browser.
Sign in to your Amazon account if you haven't already.
Tap on the three horizontal lines (menu icon) in the top-left corner of the screen.
Scroll down and tap on "Your Account."
In the "Personalized Content" section, tap on "Browsing History."
Similar to the desktop process, you can remove individual items by tapping on the “Remove from view” button below each item.
To clear your entire browsing history, tap on "Manage history" at the top of the page.
Tap the “Remove all items from view” button.
You can also toggle the “Turn Browsing History on/off” switch to stop Amazon from saving your browsing history in the future.

Understanding the Benefits of Clearing Amazon Search History

Deleting your Amazon search history can have several advantages:

Privacy: Clearing your search history can help protect your privacy, especially if you share your Amazon account with others.
Gift Purchases: When shopping for gifts, clearing your search history can prevent Amazon from showing related recommendations that might spoil the surprise for the recipient.
Clean Slate: A fresh start can help Amazon's recommendation algorithms better understand your current preferences.

Managing Your Amazon Account Settings

In addition to clearing your search history, there are other ways you can manage your Amazon account to enhance your privacy and user experience:

Review Your Order History

While Amazon allows you to view and archive your order history, you can't delete it. However, archiving orders can help hide them from your main order history:

Go to the "Your Orders" page.
Find the order you want to hide and click on "Archive Order."
Confirm by clicking on "Archive Order" again in the pop-up window.

Adjust Your Email Preferences

If you're receiving too many promotional emails from Amazon, you can adjust your email preferences:

Go to "Your Account."
Click on "Communication Preferences" under the "Email alerts, messages, and ads" section.
Update your preferences for various types of emails, such as promotions, recommendations, and order updates.

Control Your Recommendations

Amazon uses your browsing and purchase history to generate product recommendations. You can influence these recommendations by managing your browsing history and providing feedback:

Go to the "Improve Your Recommendations" page.
Rate products you've purchased or viewed to help Amazon understand your preferences.
Remove items from your browsing history that you don't want influencing your recommendations.

Manage Your Alexa Privacy Settings

If you use Alexa-enabled devices, you can manage your voice recordings and privacy settings:

Open the Alexa app on your mobile device.
Go to "Settings" and select "Alexa Privacy."
Review your voice history and delete recordings as needed.
Adjust your settings to determine how long Amazon keeps your voice recordings.

Additional Tips for Enhanced Privacy on Amazon

Here are a few more tips to help you maintain your privacy while using Amazon:

Use Incognito Mode

When browsing Amazon, consider using your browser's incognito or private mode. This can help prevent your search history from being saved on your device and can also prevent Amazon from tracking your browsing activity.

Log Out When Not in Use

Always log out of your Amazon account when you're not actively using it, especially on shared or public devices. This can help protect your account from unauthorized access.

Regularly Review Your Account Activity

Regularly check your account activity for any unusual or unauthorized actions. This can help you catch potential security issues early and take appropriate action.

In conclusion, managing your Amazon search history and account settings can significantly enhance your privacy and improve your overall shopping experience. By understanding and utilizing these features, you can take control of your online presence and ensure a more secure and personalized interaction with Amazon's vast ecosystem.