Turn on Search Services History in My Activity, or use Web & App Activity if Google has not moved your account yet.
A blank recent-search list usually means one account setting is off; how to enable search history in Google now depends on which history screen your account shows. Google is moving Search, Maps, Shopping, Flights, Hotels, Translate, and News into Search Services History, but many accounts still use Web & App Activity for the same job.
The setting works only while you are signed in. Turning it on does not rebuild old searches you already deleted, but it should begin saving new Google activity from the account and devices covered by that setting.
Which Google History Setting Should You Turn On?
Search Services History is the setting to turn on when your Google Account shows it in My Activity. Web & App Activity is the fallback when your account still has the older Google history layout.
Google is rolling out Search Services History gradually, so two people can see different screens on the same day. Do not hunt for a missing label for half an hour. Use the setting your account actually shows.
- Use Search Services History when it appears in My Activity.
- Use Web & App Activity when Search Services History is not listed.
- Use the same Google Account on every device where you want searches saved.
Enable Search History In Google With The Current Setting
Search Services History turns on saving for Google Search services from My Activity. The switch sits in your Google Account, so one change can apply across signed-in phones, tablets, and browsers.
- Open My Activity while signed in to your Google Account.
- Select Search Services History.
- Choose Turn on.
- Check Save media only if you want related files, images, audio, and video saved with Search services history.
After the switch is on, new signed-in searches should begin appearing in My Activity. Past items that were never saved will not appear later.
Turn On Web & App Activity On Android, iPhone, Or Desktop
Web & App Activity is still the setting that saves Google activity for accounts not yet moved to Search Services History. The wording changes a little by device, but the same Google Account page controls it.
On Android, open Settings > Google > Manage your Google Account > Data & privacy > Web & App Activity, then turn it on.
On iPhone or iPad, open the Gmail app, tap your profile photo or initial, choose Manage your Google Account, then open Data & privacy and turn on Web & App Activity. If you do not use Gmail, open your Google Account in a browser instead.
On a computer, open your Google Account, choose Data & privacy, then turn on Web & App Activity under History settings. The switch is active when the page shows that Web & App Activity is on.
Google History Controls Compared
Google separates several kinds of history, so turning on one setting does not turn on every history feature. Match the setting to the activity you want saved.
| Google Setting | What It Can Save | Use It When |
|---|---|---|
| Search Services History | Search, Maps, Shopping, Flights, Hotels, Translate, News, and related Search service activity | Your account shows the newer Search history control |
| Save media | Images, files, audio, and video tied to Search service interactions | You want media saved along with Search service history |
| Web & App Activity | Activity from some Google sites, apps, and services | Search Services History is not yet shown |
| Include Chrome History | Chrome history plus activity from sites, apps, and devices using Google services | You want more browsing activity tied to the account |
| Voice And Audio Activity | Audio from supported voice interactions with Google services | You want voice activity saved for better recognition |
| YouTube History | YouTube watch history and YouTube search history | You want YouTube recommendations and watched videos saved |
| Timeline | Visits and routes on signed-in devices | You want Maps location history, not Search history |
What Gets Saved After You Turn It On
Google history can save more than typed search words. Search Services History may include queries, results you view, Maps places, travel searches, Google Lens activity, Search Live recordings, Translate practice audio, Google News articles, ads you click, and device details tied to the activity.
Google’s own Search Services History help page says the setting can also affect personalization and whether future Search service activity is used to train Google’s generative AI models, unless a school-managed account rule blocks that use.
Private browsing changes the picture. If you search while signed out, Google may still tailor results using search-related activity, but that activity is not saved to the same signed-in account history page. If you sign in inside a private window, the signed-in account can still save activity.
Why Search History Still Looks Empty?
Search history can look empty when the wrong account is open, the setting has just been turned on, or the activity was saved somewhere else. Check the account first, because Google can save activity to the default account when more than one account is signed in.
| What You See | Likely Cause | What To Do |
|---|---|---|
| New searches do not appear | You are signed out or using another Google Account | Sign in, switch to the account you want, then search again |
| The setting name is missing | Your account has not moved to Search Services History | Turn on Web & App Activity instead |
| Chrome history is missing | The Chrome checkbox is off or browser history is separate | Turn on the Chrome option, then check Chrome history too |
| Old deleted searches are gone | Deleted activity is not restored by turning history on | Start saving new searches; do not expect deleted items to return |
| Work or school account blocks the setting | An administrator controls the account | Ask the administrator or use a personal Google Account |
Choose The Setting That Matches Your Goal
Use Search Services History first if your account shows it. Use Web & App Activity if your Google Account still uses the older layout.
For most people, the setup is three checks: confirm the right Google Account, turn on the visible history setting, then run one test search while signed in. Open My Activity again after that test. The new search appearing there tells you the setting is working.
Choose Save media only when you want Google to store related uploads, recordings, files, or images from Search services. Leave it unchecked when you only want ordinary Search service activity saved.
Chrome, YouTube, and Maps Timeline each have their own history behavior, so do not treat one switch as a master switch for everything Google records. Turn on only the history types you want to revisit later.
References & Sources
- Google Search Help.“Find & Manage Search Services History.”Explains Search Services History, Save media, rollout notes, and what Google Search service activity can include.