Instagram’s search bar is a handy tool for finding new accounts, checking out hashtags, or revisiting a profile you looked at before. However, those auto-populated search suggestions can sometimes feel a bit intrusive. Maybe you researched something you’d rather keep private, or those old searches simply aren’t relevant to your interests anymore.
How to Clear Your Instagram Search History
Fortunately, Instagram gives you options to customize those suggestions or wipe them clean altogether. Here’s the breakdown:
Method 1: The Individual “X”
When you start typing in Instagram’s search bar, you’ll see a list of suggestions pop up. Next to each suggestion, you’ll find a tiny “X”. Here’s how to use it:
- Tap the little “X” next to the specific search suggestion you want to remove.
- Repeat this for any other search terms you want to get rid of individually.
This method is perfect for clearing out a few specific searches quickly, but what if you want a deeper clean?
Method 2: Erasing Everything
If you’d prefer a scorched-earth approach, clearing your entire search history is the way to go. Here’s how:
- Go to your profile tab on Instagram (the icon that looks like your profile picture).
- Tap the three horizontal lines in the top right corner to open the menu.
- Select “Settings”.
- Tap on “Security”.
- Scroll down and find the option “Clear Search History” (sometimes listed within “Search History”).
- Confirm that you want to proceed.
Boom! Your Instagram search suggestions will be wiped clean. However, keep in mind that over time, as you search for new things, it will start populating suggestions again.
