Facebook’s search feature allows users to look up posts, people, pages, groups, events, and more across the platform. While this can be useful for finding specific content, some users may be concerned about their search history being tracked and want to know if there is a way to view it.
Does Facebook keep records of searches?
Yes, Facebook does keep track of searches conducted through its platform. When you search for something on Facebook, whether it’s a person, page, group, or keyword, that query gets stored in your personal search history.
Facebook says it uses this search history data to improve its products and services, provide more relevant content to users, and show trends. For example, if you search for “coffee” frequently, Facebook may show more coffee-related ads or posts.
Can you view your Facebook search history?
Unfortunately, unlike web browsers like Chrome or Safari, Facebook does not have a built-in way for users to view their complete search history. You are not able to see a list of all past searches you’ve made on Facebook through any settings or tools.
However, there are a couple of limited ways you may be able to glean insights into some of your past Facebook searches:
Recent searches module
On the Facebook website, you may see a box called “Recent searches” on the right side of your News Feed. This shows some of your most recent searches on Facebook. It typically includes 6-8 of your latest searches.
Search bar suggestions
When you start typing in the Facebook search bar, it will bring up suggested searches based on your previous queries. Looking through these can give you an idea of what you’ve searched for in the past.
But these are not comprehensive records of your complete search history and only provide a small glimpse. There is no single place within Facebook to look back through your full history.
Should you be concerned about Facebook storing your search history?
The fact that Facebook maintains records of users’ search queries often raises privacy concerns. Here are some things to keep in mind:
Data use
Facebook states that search history data helps improve relevancy and product experiences. But some privacy advocates worry the data could potentially be used for advertising profiling or other purposes without the user’s knowledge.
Data security
Any data stored and maintained by a tech company could be vulnerable to hacking, leaks, or misuse by internal employees. Facebook has experienced breaches in the past.
Lack of user access
Not being able to view or control the data that’s being collected can understandably make users uneasy. However, Facebook limits search history access to protect user privacy.
Context
Searches alone may not provide meaningful insights without additional context. Facebook says they avoid retaining potentially sensitive queries.
Overall, while search history retention raises understandable questions, Facebook’s use of the data is likely similar to other tech companies. But users have limited visibility.
How can you view your full Facebook search history?
Unfortunately, as mentioned previously, Facebook does not provide any self-service tools for users to view their complete search history outside of the limited recent searches module.
There are a couple potential options users might explore if they want to try to view their full search history:
Request a copy of your Facebook data
Facebook allows users to download a copy of the data Facebook stores about them, which could potentially include search queries. To do this:
- Go to Settings & Privacy > Settings
- Click “Your Facebook Information” in the left column
- Select “Download your Information”
- Deselect all categories except “Search History”
- Click “Create File”
However, Facebook warns this will only include a “subset” of your search history, not complete records.
Use a third-party tool
There are some third-party services and browser extensions that claim to track your Facebook activity, including search queries. They work by syncing data through your Facebook account.
Examples include Social Recall and History Vault. However, be cautious when using third-party services and research legitimacy, privacy practices, and security standards before syncing any data.
But at this time, there is no way to view your full Facebook search history directly through Facebook’s native tools. The company intentionally limits access to protect user privacy.
Can you delete your Facebook search history?
Unfortunately, there is no built-in way to manually delete or clear your past Facebook search history. Because users don’t have direct access to records of their search queries, there’s no setting to remove it.
Here are some options that may limit your search history:
Turn off search history
You can opt out of Facebook collecting your future search history. This prevents new queries from being logged, but does not erase your existing history.
To do this:
- Go to Settings & Privacy > Settings
- Click “Your Facebook Information” in the left column
- Select “Access your information”
- Click “Search” under “Information others have provided about you”
- Toggle “Future searches” to Off
Delete your Facebook account
Deleting your Facebook account completely should erase your search history along with all other data associated with your account. However, be aware Facebook may take up to 90 days to fully delete residual data that’s been backup up or cached in systems.
Use browser incognito/private mode
Conducting Facebook searches in an incognito or private browser window won’t be tracked and associated with your account profile. However, this must be done every time you want a search to not be logged.
So in summary, while you can’t manually view and delete your Facebook search history outright, you can take steps to minimize your data footprint going forward by disabling tracking or deleting your account. But past search queries likely persist in Facebook’s systems subject to the company’s data retention policies.
Does Facebook search history sync across devices?
Yes, the search history Facebook collects does sync across devices. That means queries you make in the Facebook app on your mobile phone will also show up in the search history associated with your account when logged in on a desktop browser.
This allows Facebook to create a more comprehensive and unified search profile tied to your account and credentials, rather just a specific device. It also enables useful functionality – like having recent mobile searches surface as suggestions next time you search on your laptop.
However, keep in mind that turning off search history or using private browsing modes on individual devices only applies to that specific device and won’t carry over. You would need to opt out on each device separately.
Is Facebook search history the same as search history on Google or Safari?
Facebook search history works a bit differently than search history in a browser like Google Chrome or Safari in a few key ways:
Content scope
Browser search histories record queries made through search engines and websites across the internet. Facebook search is limited to content within the Facebook platform only.
Tracking and access
Most browsers allow you to directly view, delete, and disable collection of search history. Facebook does not give users direct access or control.
Personalization
Google and other search engines customize results based in part on your search history and profile. Facebook search relies more on graph connections to surface relevant content.
Advertising
Browser histories are often utilized more aggressively for targeted advertising. Facebook search history has less influence on ads.
Device syncing
Browser histories tend to be isolated to specific machines unless syncing is enabled. Facebook search is tied to your account across multiple devices automatically.
So in summary, while there are some conceptual similarities in retaining search records, Facebook takes a more limited, opaque approach that can’t be directly managed by users. The scope and applications also vary considerably.
Conclusion
Facebook does keep records of searches conducted through its platform, but does not provide users with any tools to directly view, edit, or delete this search history data. The limited visibility is by design to protect privacy.
If having access to or erasing your search history is important, the only options are essentially to disable tracking for future searches or delete your Facebook account entirely. For most users, Facebook’s use of aggregated search data is likely similar to other tech companies – but the lack of transparency and control raises understandable questions for some.