How to Turn off Watch History on Youtube

Author: Sam | Guide: YouTube |

In today's digital age, YouTube has become an integral part of our lives, offering a vast collection of videos to entertain, educate, and inspire us. However, as we indulge in countless hours of watching content, our personal preferences and browsing habits are meticulously recorded by the platform's Watch History feature. If you value your privacy and wish to regain control over the data stored about your viewing activities, it's crucial to understand how to turn off Watch History on YouTube. In this blog post, we will explore the steps to disable this feature and delve into the benefits it brings, empowering you to curate your YouTube experience without leaving a digital trail behind. Let's embark on a journey to reclaim your privacy on the world's most popular video-sharing platform.

Turn off watch history on YouTube: 5 Steps

Step 1: Open YouTube app - Launch the YouTube app on your mobile device or visit the YouTube website on your computer.

Image title Turn off watch history on YouTube step 1

Step 2: Tap on your profile pic - Look for your profile picture or icon located at the top right corner of the YouTube app or website.

  • Tap on it to access your account settings.
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Step 3: Tap on settings - From the dropdown menu, select "Settings." This will take you to the settings page for your YouTube account.

Image title Turn off watch history on YouTube step 3

Step 4: Tap on history & privacy - On the settings page, scroll down until you find the "History & Privacy" section.

  • Tap on it to access the options related to your watch history and privacy settings.
Image title Turn off watch history on YouTube step 4

Step 5: Tap on pause history - In the "History & Privacy" section, you will find the "Pause watch history" option.

  • Tap on it to disable the recording of your watch history.
Image title Turn off watch history on YouTube step 5

Taking control of your watch history on YouTube is essential to maintain your privacy and personalize your viewing experience. By following the simple steps outlined above, you can easily turn off watch history and prevent YouTube from tracking the videos you watch. Don't forget to explore additional features like Incognito mode and clearing search history to further enhance your privacy while using YouTube.

Tips

  • Incognito Mode: If you want to temporarily browse YouTube without leaving a trace, consider using the Incognito mode. This feature allows you to watch videos without them being added to your watch history.
  • Clearing Watch History: To remove existing videos from your watch history, go to the "History & Privacy" section and select "Clear watch history." This will erase all previously recorded videos from your watch history.
  • Pausing Search History: In addition to watch history, you can also pause your search history on YouTube. Within the "History & Privacy" section, you'll find the option to "Pause search history." Toggling this setting off will prevent your searches from being saved.

FAQ

  1. Will turning off watch history affect my video recommendations?
  • No, disabling watch history will not impact the recommendations provided by YouTube. The platform uses other data points to suggest relevant videos based on your interests.
  1. Can I turn off watch history on one device without affecting others?
  • Yes, disabling watch history is specific to the device you're using. If you want to turn it off on multiple devices, you'll need to repeat the process on each one.
  1. Can I still access my watch history after turning it off?
  • No, once you pause your watch history, you won't be able to access the previously recorded videos. Make sure to save any videos you wish to remember or watch again before turning off the feature.
  1. Will pausing watch history affect my YouTube Premium benefits?
  • No, pausing watch history will not affect your YouTube Premium benefits. You can still enjoy ad-free videos, background playback, and other premium features.
  1. Will my watch history be deleted if I pause it?
  • No, pausing watch history does not delete your existing watch history. It only prevents new videos from being added to the list.
  1. Can I turn off watch history on the YouTube website?
  • Yes, the process to turn off watch history is the same whether you're using the YouTube app or visiting the website on your computer.
  1. Can I enable watch history again after turning it off?
  • Yes, if you change your mind or want to resume recording your watch history, you can follow the same steps and toggle the "Pause watch history" option back on.

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